"Many young researchers leave" | The …

Last week, it was Sandra Díaz who, thanks to her advances in plant biology, won the Princess of Asturias Award. This time it was the turn of Fernando Pitossi, biochemist (UBA) and doctor of biological sciences (Albert Ludwig University, Germany), currently responsible for the Laboratory of Regenerative Therapies and Protectors of the nervous system of the Leloir Institute. . This principal investigator of Conicet has been integrated into the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) and, with this designation, is the third local scientist to obtain this privilege (the other two are Alfredo Cáceres and Alberto Kornblihtt). The organization, made up of 1,800 researchers, has no less than 88 Nobel laureates in its ranks. On this occasion, he describes his developments in translational medicine and how contrasts from abroad with the painful situation at the borders are contradicted: while international organizations distinguish national talents, science and technology have suffered setbacks. since late 2015 and budget adjustments in all your orders.

-What does incorporation to EMBO mean?

-It is an institution that has a lot of history, which was created before the European Union and which brings together the efforts of 14 countries that have decided to make the best science possible. As this is a common space, when one goes to his seat in Heidelberg (Germany), he finds that he has the status of embbady. There are also badociated countries that include scientists from around the world; in recent years they have been named Alberto Kornblihtt and Alfredo Cáceres. My incorporation is a mimic of the trajectory, because one begins to be part of a very prestigious space in the field of molecular biology.

– How to make the best science possible in a country like Argentina?

– Every day we face a very serious funding problem. However, the conflict that concerns me the most is the future of children and children. It is very difficult to keep them because it is more and more difficult to find a future to offer them. The lack of motivation of these young hypercalified begins to sink, then many decide to devote themselves to something else and others, with strong vocation, migrate in the hope of returning when the situation will become better. Many guys are thinking of leaving and some are leaving already.

– Why does the government not support the sector?

The truth is that it is difficult to answer this question because we are talking about a minimal budgetary impact for the state. Currently, the percentage of GDP in the region is 0.25 and the minimum target would be 1%. For reasons of apathy, ignorance or, with real intent, the reality indicates that the government does not care about strengthening S & T; he does not see it as something necessary that is part of his public policy agenda. The country must have well-prepared staff to be able to meet the most pressing needs and emerging conflicts and overcome them. Science and technology is a space that has always had a lot to contribute and should continue to do so. Of course, it is difficult in such conditions. Cavallo sent us to do the dishes and this government to the television contests.

– Let's talk a bit about your research on regenerative and protective therapies of the nervous system. What is it?

-Our laboratory is defined as translational medicine, that is, we want to be able to give a letter to the doctor so that he does not have to tell his patients "we can not do nothing with your illness. " We focus on Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy, from a work on stem cells, units that constitute fascinating universes; in the adult, for example, they have the property of constantly generating new specific cells. At this point, we are developing 2 million red blood cells and 1 million neutrophils (type of white blood cells) per second. In our team, we seek to take advantage of these potentialities of cell reprogramming technology.

-What does it refer to?

-It was created by Shinya Yamanaka, a Japanese scientist who received the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2012. An invention of the laboratory allows him to become an adult cell called "pluripotent" and allow the obtaining of neurons and neurons. many of them. the 200 types of cells of the body. This has three direct applications in which we intervene. The first is related to epilepsy: we took blood samples from Ramos Mejía Hospital patients and from individuals unaffected by the pathology, we reprogrammed them (c & # 39; that is to say that they created stem cells) and then got neurons. In this way, we compared the differences between those who are part of a healthy nervous system and those who suffer from the disease.

– with what purpose?

-We believe that if we can badyze both neurons, we can establish more specific and targeted treatments. The second application is to produce "dopaminergic" neurons – those that are traditionally deactivated in people with Parkinson's disease – for the purpose of injecting them to replace those who die in the brain of these people. The technology is already used in Japan, it has proven its safety and efficiency. From our lab, we are studying its potential for short-term use.

-And the last application?

-We have a project to create a bank that collects these reprogrammed stem cells and represents the Argentine population. While the United States, Great Britain and France pursue the same goal, we hold annual meetings to set quality standards. If it materializes, it would be revolutionary because it would constitute the cellular base of all aspects related to regenerative medicine. So we would have cataloged the stem cells that then have the ability to create any other kind of cells, which would be great news for the transplant.

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