Curiosity-driven research

Extracted Attributes

• Contrast

  Differs from mission-directed research, utility-driven research, agenda-driven research, applied research

• Challenges

  Funding difficulties due to uncertain return on investment

• Definition

  Scientific research in domains where 'real-world' applications are not immediately apparent; research without a clear goal; curiosity-driven science; research driven by the goal of understanding nature without regard for application

• Proponents

  Patrick Collison, Larry Gladney (Yale physicist)

• Also known as

  Blue skies research, Blue sky science, Discovery science, Basic science

• Characteristics

  No immediate applications; uncertain return on investment; politically and commercially unpopular; questions arise from observation or innovative ideas; no clear goal or agenda

• Primary Benefit

  Leads to significant, unforeseen breakthroughs; fuels innovation; underpins virtually all applied research, innovation, and technological development

• Examples of Breakthroughs

  Advances in genetics; advances in stem cell biology; discoveries enabling effective mRNA vaccines against COVID; foundational understanding for modern electrophysiology (treating heart conditions, neurological disorders, chronic pain)

Timeline

• Discoveries in mRNA technology, stemming from curiosity-driven research, were recognized with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine awarded to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman. (Source: Web Search Results)

  2023-00-00

Blue skies research

Blue skies research, also called blue sky science, is scientific research in domains where "real-world" applications are not immediately apparent. It has been defined as "research without a clear goal" and "curiosity-driven science". Proponents of this mode of science argue that unanticipated scientific breakthroughs are sometimes more valuable than the outcomes of agenda-driven research, heralding advances in genetics and stem cell biology as examples of unforeseen benefits of research that was originally seen as purely theoretical in scope. Because of the inherently uncertain return on investment, blue-sky projects are sometimes politically and commercially unpopular and tend to lose funding to research perceived as being more reliably profitable or practical.

Web Search Results

• In defence of curiosity-driven basic scientific research – Curiosity ...

  treat cancer’ and so on. The difference is obvious; curiosity-driven questions arise in response to an observation in nature or an innovative idea, while utility-driven questions arise in response to a need or problem that human being is facing. Curiosity-driven research might have no immediate applications to the humanity, while utility-driven research is all about the applications and product development. Some examples of curiosity-driven research include the following disciplines: [...] legacy; merely mediocre outputs quickly forgotten. Curiosity-driven research continues to pay dividends over a long period, where utility-driven applied sciences drastically fail despite huge funds and all those international patents and high Impact Factor publications. [...] rather than experimental. Oftentimes, curiosity-driven research has no clear goal or agenda as well. Some example curiosity-driven questions include what is the evolutionary purpose of hiccups, why polar bears- despite high blood cholesterol levels and sedentary lifestyles-never develop coronary artery diseases, how bizarre miniature insects called tardigrades (Fig. 1) can survive at space amidst vacuum and extreme radiations, at -200°C, even at +150°C and ten times hydrostatic pressure that of

• 'Curiosity-driven research' led to a recent major medical ...

  This is one of hundreds of therapies taking a similar approach. We will likely see many more stories like this in the coming decades. But I am certain we won’t see any examples where we don’t understand the underlying biology. Curiosity-driven research, focused on understanding how biology works, is essential for the development of therapies to treat human disease. The history of medical advances shows us this time and time again. [...] Curiosity-driven research is exactly what it sounds like: research driven by the goal of understanding nature without regard for application. It has many aliases. “Blue-sky research”, “discovery science” and “basic science” are all terms commonly used to describe this approach. ##### This kind of research differs from “mission-directed research”, which focuses primarily on practical applications and whose goals are set by governments and industry. [...] The logic behind curiosity-driven research is that understanding how things work will inevitably lead to discoveries that will fuel innovation. Historically, this has led to transformational discoveries. Another recent example is the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, which was awarded to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman for discoveries that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID.

• The Mystery and Thrill of Curiosity-Driven Research | For Humanity

  #### Scholarships & Fellowships ### Schools & Units ### News & Stories ### Video Showcase ## Engage Right Arrow Left Arrow ### Events ### Volunteer ### Yale Alumni Association search # The Mystery and Thrill of Curiosity-Driven Research Research driven by a fundamental question, rather than a specific agenda or application, can sometimes yield the greatest results. # The Mystery and Thrill of Curiosity-Driven Research [...] Curiosity-driven science—also called basic science—is “essential to the nature of what it means to be human,” says Larry Gladney, Yale physicist and dean of science of the Yale Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS). Watch Professor Gladney and other members of FAS as they explore the importance of curiosity-driven science as individuals, researchers, and members of a global community. Planet Earth view from outer space ## Share This Story For Humanity - The Yale Campaign [...] When scientists ask questions about how our world works, they are typically motivated by curiosity, not the promise of a new invention or medical treatment. They aim to shed light on the unknown. Yet this pursuit of basic understanding has laid the foundations for our most important technological advances.

• Curiosity-driven science research | Yale News

  Many of the greatest scientific leaps in history were unplanned and unexpected, not the result of applied or agenda-driven scientific research but of curiosity-drivenresearch in which scholars follow their curiosity where it leads them. [...] Curiosity-driven research not only expands our understanding of the world, it underpins virtually all applied research, innovation, and technological development. When researchers in Yale’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences follow their curiosity, it takes them down unexplored pathways, for the benefit of future generations. ## Topics ## Science & Technology Liangbing Hu and Shu Hu ### A device to convert plastic waste into fuel [...] Yale College Shield Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Shield School of Architecture Shield School of Art Shield Divinity School Shield David Geffen School of Drama Shield School of Engineering & Applied Science Shield School of the Environment Shield Jackson School of Global Affairs Shield Law School Shield School of Management Shield School of Medicine Shield School of Music Shield School of Nursing Shield School of Public Health Shield ## Share this page # Curiosity-driven science research

• Why we study shrimp on treadmills: The case for curiosity-driven ...

  Simply put, we cannot predict where the next transformative discovery will come from. So, don’t mock the shrimp — or the fruit flies, squid, or Gila monsters. Curiosity-driven science is the engine that powers discovery, innovation, and advances in human health. Let’s nurture scientific curiosity — our future breakthroughs depend on it. Carole LaBonne is president of the Society for Developmental Biology and the Erastus Otis Haven professor of molecular biosciences at Northwestern University. [...] Yet another example comes from marine biology research that studied the nervous systems of electric fish and eels, driven by simple curiosity about their remarkable electric capabilities. These studies contributed significantly to our understanding of how nerve cells generate electrical signals, forming the foundation for modern electrophysiology, critical for treating heart conditions, neurological disorders, and chronic pain. [...] If we cut or limit funding for curiosity-driven research, we risk shutting down the pipeline of future innovation. While the outcomes of basic science may seem unclear or esoteric at first, such work frequently forms the bedrock of future technologies, treatments, and therapies.