90 Years of Perseverance and Triumph in Biological Science
For nine decades, the field of biological science has been quietly revolutionizing our understanding of life itself—from the intricate dance of molecules within our cells to the complex interplay of organisms in ecosystems. This remarkable journey represents far more than accumulated knowledge; it embodies the unyielding perseverance of scientists who transformed setbacks into breakthroughs and curiosity into understanding.
Their collective story reveals that scientific progress is rarely linear but rather a testament to human resilience and intellectual daring 1 7 .
The establishment of dedicated biological research institutions created the crucible for transformative discoveries. Peking University's School of Life Sciences stands as a prime example, emerging over its 90-year history as one of China's premier centers for biological education and research.
Founded in 1925, the school navigated periods of both prosperity and conflict, including wartime disruptions that threatened its very existence. Through these challenges, the institution maintained its commitment to excellence in training generations of scientists while expanding its research capabilities.
By 2015, it had developed into a comprehensive research powerhouse housing specialized centers like the Center for Protein Science and the Center for the History and Philosophy of Science, demonstrating how sustained institutional support enables biological breakthroughs 1 2 .
Behind every great institution stand visionary educators who shaped biological pedagogy:
| Era | Educational Focus | Notable Advancement | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1925-1950 | Foundational knowledge | Establishment of dedicated biology programs | Created structured biological curriculum |
| 1960s-1980s | Specialization | Rise of molecular biology departments | Enabled targeted study of genetic mechanisms |
| 1990s-2010s | Interdisciplinary approaches | Integration of computational biology | Bridged life sciences with data science |
| 2015-Present | Holistic training | Emphasis on science communication & ethics | Produced socially engaged biologists |
The 2024 Nobel Prize awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of microRNAs epitomizes how scientific perseverance leads to paradigm-shifting breakthroughs. Their journey began not with fanfare but with frustrating anomalies in understanding developmental timing in C. elegans worms.
Sydney Brenner's lab first identified lin-4 mutations causing developmental timing defects. Later, Horvitz and Ambros noted lin-4 mutants failed to transition between larval stages properly .
Ambros and Rosalind Lee cloned lin-4, expecting to find a protein-coding gene. Instead, they discovered it produced two small RNA transcripts (22 and 61 nucleotides). Frameshift mutations that should have disrupted protein function had no effect—hinting these RNAs were functional themselves .
When Ambros and Ruvkun exchanged sequences over the phone, they simultaneously recognized complementary binding sites between lin-4 RNA and lin-14's 3'UTR—revealing an antisense regulatory mechanism .
| Year | Milestone | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | lin-4 gene discovered | Identified first heterochronic mutation |
| 1993 | lin-4/lin-14 regulatory mechanism published | Revealed first microRNA and target |
| 2000 | Conservation of let-7 demonstrated | Proved microRNAs are evolutionarily ancient |
| 2002 | MicroRNAs linked to cancer (miR-15/16) | Established medical relevance |
| 2024 | Nobel Prize awarded | Recognized transformative biological insight |
While some discoveries garner Nobel recognition, countless researchers advance biology through quiet dedication in specialized domains. One such scientist spent a lifetime unraveling the complex biochemistry of bile acid synthesis from a "sleepy rural medical school" that he helped transform into a "well-funded powerhouse in liver research."
| CYP7A1 pathway | Target for cholesterol-lowering drugs |
| FXR receptor activation | Obeticholic acid (Ocaliva®) for primary biliary cholangitis |
| TGR5 signaling | Potential target for metabolic syndrome |
| Enterohepatic circulation | Basis for bile acid sequestrants |
Biological breakthroughs depend on specialized research tools. Below are key reagents that powered the discoveries discussed:
| Reagent | Composition/Type | Function in Research | Key Experiment |
|---|---|---|---|
| C. elegans mutant strains | lin-4(e912) null mutants | Identify developmental timing defects | microRNA discovery |
| Antibodies against lin-14 | Polyclonal antibodies | Detect lin-14 protein persistence | Confirmed post-transcriptional regulation |
| CYP7A1 knockout mice | Genetically modified model | Study bile acid synthesis pathways | Validated CYP7A1 as therapeutic target 5 |
| Radioactive cholesterol tracers | ³H/¹â´C-labeled cholesterol | Track bile acid synthesis kinetics | Mapped metabolic pathways 5 |
| microRNA mimics/inhibitors | Synthetic RNA oligonucleotides | Manipulate microRNA activity | Functional validation in disease models |
Biological education has transformed from one-size-fits-all teaching to approaches recognizing individual learning pathways. Research reveals that students experience interventions differently due to complex gene-environment interactions that shape how knowledge is acquired.
Studies show early interventions often produce "fade-out effects," not because they are ineffective, but because they fail to address ongoing developmental variability. This understanding has shifted educational philosophy from attempting to eliminate achievement gaps to maximizing individual potential through sustained support—a concept Chang ZengYi championed at Peking University through personalized research mentoring 7 .
Modern biological training increasingly emphasizes science communication and ethical engagement:
As we reflect on 90 years of biological achievement, the true legacy lies not merely in accumulated knowledge but in the enduring spirit of inquiry that connects generations of scientists. From Ambros and Ruvkun's late-night phone call that cracked the microRNA code, to the unnamed bile acid researcher who found fulfillment in a "long, exciting, and rewarding journey" far from the scientific limelight, biology advances through perseverance as much as brilliance 5 .
As new frontiers like CRISPR gene editing and synthetic biology emerge, the lessons from these nine decades remain vital: that setbacks precede breakthroughs, that diversity fuels innovation, and that understanding life in all its complexity is a marathon run by relay teams across generations. The next chapter awaits those willing to add their link to biology's unbroken chain.