In the arcane world of scientific research, the men in white coats with woolly hair dominate the popular perception. But it isn't quite like that. What about a scenario in which researchers who lead the field get together over a few drinks and toss about ideas which might later lead to imaginative advances? As they discuss new possibilities in a friendly atmosphere, according to an eminent academic, one might say to the other - "Why didn't I think of that?" How novel, that's not how the nutty professors should be. But back in the laboratories, such ideas are put to use - something becomes clearer - science takes a step forward.
That's exactly how it is, according to Prof Tom Cotter, head of the biochemistry department at UCC. Prof Cotter leads a small team researching cancer, its causes and, how, ultimately, it might be defeated.
Some weeks ago, the Institute of Scientific Information, in Philadelphia, ranked the Cork lab ninth in the world and third in Europe. That was some achievement for a laboratory that has to depend on grants from whichever source it can find to fund itself. The American institute is the body which keeps tabs on research work around the world, what scientific papers are being circulated, what new work is being brought forward. In the human body, says Prof Cotter, the death of a cell is triggered by what is known as a "suicide gene". In the case of a cancerous cell, however, the mechanism fails to work and the deadly cell continues to develop.
There are 200 types of cancer, he adds, and the work of the UCC lab is to painstakingly investigate possible causes, possible cures. The work, of its very nature, is slow. There are few shouts of "eureka". But even a tiny step on the road to better understanding is a valuable one. What may have been begun in Cork could be picked up by a lab in Tokyo or Boston and another step made.
In the research world, Professor Cotter says, scientific papers are in constant circulation. The Internet is also used to announce new ideas or approaches. Everyone knows what everyone else is working on, and eventually, the research work is given a practical application in the clinic.
But it is at international conferences, when the best people in the field come together, that real progress can be made. It is surprising, he says, how much can be achieved after the conference when experts get together over drinks and pool their ideas.
Although the UCC lab has achieved a pre-eminent position, there is a constant struggle to find the necessary funding. The EU provides support, so does industry, cancer-related projects, the Health Research Board, etc. It would be a dream come true if the Cork lab had sufficient, guaranteed funding, to allow it to do what it does best without always worrying about financial matters. The team of 10 graduate students and post-doctoral fellows under Prof Cotter could find more lucrative work elsewhere - it is difficult to keep good graduates at home, he adds.
Perhaps there is a knight in shining armour out there waiting to find a suitable cause such as the UCC lab.