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Creation and revelation: two different routes to advancement in the biomedical sciences

Nature Medicine volume 13, pages 1151–1154 (2007)Cite this article

This past summer, two of the world's great art institutions—the Royal Academy of Arts in London and the Louvre in Paris—held exhibitions in which the highlight was the depiction of a tree. Artists have long been fascinated with trees, owing perhaps to the fact that trees are Nature's only living elements that link the Heaven, the Earth and the Underworld. The tree at the Royal Academy (a painting) and the tree at the Louvre (a sculpture) exemplify two different routes to achieving artistic greatness: one involving creation and the other involving revelation.

As in art, creation (through invention) and revelation (through discovery) are two different routes to advancement in the biomedical sciences. The 2007 Lasker Clinical Award (awarded for the invention of prosthetic cardiac valves) is an example of advancement through creation. The 2007 Lasker Basic Award (awarded for the discovery of the immune system's dendritic cells) exemplifies advancement through revelation. And the 2007 Lasker Public Service Award recognizes a life-long career devoted to both creativity and discovery.

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Figure 1: Bigger Trees Near Warter.
Figure 2: The 10-meter Tree.

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  1. Joseph L. Goldstein Chair, Lasker Awards Jury,

    Joseph L Goldstein

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  1. Joseph L Goldstein
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Goldstein, J. Creation and revelation: two different routes to advancement in the biomedical sciences. Nat Med 13, 1151–1154 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm1642

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