Leopoldina news 5|2017 Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina – German National Academy of Sciences Halle (Saale), 10 Oktober 2017 Genome editing: Medicine of the future? The Annual Assembly of the Leopoldina discusses aspects of genome editing SYMPOSIUM P. 2 ANNUAL ASSEMBLY P. 3-5 FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME P. 8 Science and society Cutting-edge research Studies on chemistry in dialogue on genome editing and neurobiology What next after the New molecular genetic Postdocs spend two years March for Science? methods discussed working in California 05|2017 // LEOPOLDINA NEWS 2 Editorial Dear Members and Friends of the Leopoldina, “Quo vadis, Providing po- liticians with science communication?” science-based advice is a core What next after the March for Science? function of the Leopoldina. Its experts and ex- pertise are in greater demand than ever when it comes to political decision-making. Yet at the same time, science and politics do not always communicate with one another in suf- ficient depth: the politicians would -of ten like more recommendations for di- rect, concrete action. Scientists, on the other hand, sometimes feel that they are not being consulted or listened to enough. So how might we reconcile expecta- tions and potential whilst maintaining a sense of balance? What opportu- Scientific expertise can be very beneficial when discussing social issues. This is evident from the large nities exist for incorporating scienti- number of conferences and symposia held – not least by the Leopoldina. Photo: David Ausserhofer fic knowledge – with an awareness of political processes and timeframes Scientists from all over the world took to to exist? If we are to obtain answers to and precisely because of this – in de- the streets on 22 April to join the March these questions, then there needs to be a mocratic discourse? And how can for Science. They were demonstrating in frank exchange of views, and not just bet- views be exchanged with members favour of scientific freedom, and remin- ween scientists. Above all, new methods of of the public? How can their interests ding us of the value of scientific research science communication need to be put to be given due weight when providing in tackling the problems of society. One the test, and these must be developed by science-based advice to politicians? All of the positive outcomes of the March for collaborating with a number of different of these questions will be addressed Science was that it drew the attention of target groups from the very outset. at the event, ‘Science needs society’, a broad section of the public to one of the From protest to dialogue to the real which is to take place in a few days’ challenges facing world: the steps time at Schloss Herrenhausen (see science; namely that 25/26 OKTOBER 2017 which need to be ta- the accompanying article). The Robert it needs to be more ken over and above Bosch Foundation, the Leopoldina and successful at incre- ‘Science needs society – what next after the March for Sci- the weekly journal DIE ZEIT will be as- asing public awa- the March for Science?’ is the title of a sym- ence are to be dis- king, in collaboration with the Volks- reness of research posium to be held in Hanover by the Volks- cussed in a series of wagen Foundation, “What next after methods, the dis- wagen Foundation on 25 and 26 October lectures, panel dis- the March for Science?” The march in coveries made as a 2017 in conjunction with the Leopoldina, cussions and wor- April united hundreds of thousands of result, and their rele- the Robert Bosch Foundation, and DIE ZEIT. king groups at the people from all over the world, who vance to our lives. PROGRAMME AND REGISTRATION symposium ‘Wissen- demonstrated for scientific freedom One possible st- (ONLY IN GERMAN) schaft braucht Ge- and protested against the hurdles fa- arting-point for this sellschaft’ (‘Science cing scientists. In the light of these might be the ‘scien- needs society’). Its encouraging signs, science must also tific barometer’, an annual survey which principal objective is to provide the sti- play its part by being open and honest questions Germans on their attitudes to mulus for real-life projects which can help with the public, communicating with science and research. According to the counteract the dissemination of a world- a broad section of the population on most recent survey in July 2017, roughly view which is hostile towards science. The an equal footing, suggesting solutions two thirds of those questioned claimed to President of the Leopoldina, Prof. Dr. Jörg to problems which have been identi- be convinced that science served a use- Hacker ML, will ask what science and po- fied, and campaigning ceaselessly for ful purpose (see page 7). What problems litics (still?) have to say to one another. an appreciation of the complexity of is science communication now having to A realistic appraisal is essential if we are science. tackle, and what are the reasons behind to be able to evaluate the potential of sci- On this note, I would like to thank you them? Which strategies should scientific ence-based advice to resonate in our digi- for your support. organisations be adopting to confront the talised democracies. crisis of confidence which they have found (art) 05|2017 // LEOPOLDINA NEWS 3 About the changeability of the genome More than 400 Members of the Leopoldina and guests attended the Annual Assembly in Halle The Annual Assembly of the National Academy of Sciences on 22 and 23 Sep- tember focused on ‘Genome editing – challenges for the future’. The develop- ment of targeted genetic interventions by scientists specialising in molecular biology prompted a discussion about as- pects of their application in relation to plants, animals and humans, and about the ethical, legal and technical issues in- volved. “We are dealing with an area of re- search which is nothing less than revoluti- onary.” These were the words with which the President, Prof. Dr. Jörg Hacker ML, welcomed the more than four hundred guests to the 2017 Annual Assembly. Since 2015, new processes in the field of molecular genetics, in particular CRISPR/ Some fifty gifted schoolchildren from Germany were our guests at the Annual Assembly of the Cas9 molecular scissors, had spread from Leopoldina. They attended the lectures, discussed the issues with scientists, and found out more one research laboratory to another like about the publications produced by the Leopoldina. Photo: Markus Scholz wildfire. That is why Armin Willingmann, Minister of Economic Affairs, Science and (Potsdam) explained the biotechnologi- the earlier contributions. These revolved Digitisation of the State of Saxony-Anhalt, cal methods used with plants. Prof. Dr. again and again around the relationship also welcomed this choice of ‘groundbrea- Ephrat Levy Lahad (Jerusalem/Israel), between actions, ethics and knowledge. king topic’. Georg Schütte, Secretary of Prof. Dr. Andy Greenfield (Harwell/UK) Prof. Dr. Manfred Eigen ML, winner of the State at the Federal Ministry of Education and Prof. Dr. Jochen Taupitz ML (Mann- 1967 Nobel Prize for Chemistry, put this and Research, also stressed the need to heim) later drew on their own national in a nutshell when he said, “The more we bring the debate on the genome into the perspectives when talking about the legal, can do, the less we should do. The less we public spotlight, and to continue the con- ethical and regulatory repercussions asso- should do, the more we must know.” This versation in both specialist and political ciated with genome editing. quotation, with which Jörg Hacker ope- circles. In-depth conversations then took ned the Annual Assembly, will no doubt As expected, the speakers were keen place at the Annual Assembly between also shape our future discourse. for there to be more discussion about the different specialist disciplines, based on (dw) various fields of application and the soci- al relevance of genome editing. Prof. Dr. Ernst-Ludwig Winnacker ML (Munich) began by talking about how modern ge- netics “sets out its stall”; not only offering a solution to chronic sleep disorders, but also promising to help us to live longer and to provide a cure for breast cancer. Prof. Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier ML (Berlin), Prof. Dr. Rudolf Jaenisch ML (Cambridge, MA/USA) and Prof. Dr. Ethan Bier (San Diego, CA/USA) then went on to exp- lain the origins, breakthroughs, starting- points and operating principles of genome editing. Applications in the field of human biology were exemplified by Prof. Dr. Eric Olson (Dallas, TX/USA), Prof. Dr. Bo- ris Fehse (Hamburg) and Prof. Dr. Ugur Georg Schütte, Secretary of State at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, and Armin Sahin (Mainz), while Prof. Dr. Jens Boch Willingmann Minister of Economic Affairs, Science and Digitalisation of the State of Saxony-Anhalt, were (Hanover) and Prof. Dr. Ralph Bock ML taken through the Annual Assembly in the company of Jörg Hacker (l to r). Photo: Thomas Meinicke 05|2017 // LEOPOLDINA NEWS 4 Debate on principles of Outstanding gene therapy procedures research Panel raises medical, ethical and legal issues Prizes and medals awarded Nine scientists were awarded prizes and medals by the Leopoldina this year for their outstanding research. Prof. Dr. Fritz Melchers ML (Berlin) and Prof. Dr. Joachim Trümper ML (Garching) recei- ved the Cothenius Medal for their lifetime achievements in science. The research conducted by Prof. Melchers has contri- buted fundamentally to our understan- ding of the formation of blood cells and immune system malfunctions. Joachim Trümper enjoys an international repu- tation as a pioneer of X-ray astronomy. He was the driving force behind and sci- entific director of the ROSAT satellite Members of the Leopoldina and the Young Academy and other scientists discuss the consequences of mission, which succeeded in conducting germline therapy and somatic gene therapy.