Brian Kobilka: Choosing Challenges and Never Giving Up - Tsinghua University
**Abstract:** On the afternoon of January 16, 2012, the Tsinghua University Main Building's Rear Hall was packed with faculty and students eager to hear from Brian K. Kobilka, the 2012 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry and guest professor at Tsinghua University. Kobilka, accompanied by his wife Tong Sun, returned to Tsinghua as previously scheduled on January 12, immediately diving back into lab work, interviews, and discussions with colleagues and students. Despite his recent Nobel Prize, Kobilka's focus remains on his research, particularly on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), a critical area in biological research. During a brief interview, Kobilka shared his insights and experiences in scientific research. He emphasized that the key to his success was persistence and a refusal to give up, even during the most challenging moments. Kobilka's work on GPCRs spanned many years and involved numerous setbacks, but his determination and the support of his team kept him moving forward. He also highlighted the importance of creativity, intuition, collaboration, and a bit of luck, but stressed that the goal of a scientist should be to pursue good science, not to win awards. Kobilka's journey into GPCR research began during his medical career when he became interested in the mechanisms of drugs that target these receptors. He encouraged young researchers to focus on challenging and significant questions rather than on the quantity of publications. He observed a trend among young scientists to prioritize paper publication, sometimes at the expense of pursuing more difficult and potentially groundbreaking research. Kobilka believes that the quality of research and the creativity and importance of the questions being addressed are far more valuable than the number of papers produced. He advised that seeking easy and quickly publishable topics could lead to a superficial approach to science, which is detrimental to long-term progress. One of the most challenging periods in Kobilka's career was when he lost funding from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, a significant source of financial support for his research. The sudden loss of funding, especially during a critical phase of his work, posed a severe threat to his ongoing projects. However, with the help of Tsinghua University and his department, he secured alternative funding and continued his research. This experience underscored the importance of resilience and the support of the academic community. When asked about his decision to join Tsinghua University, Kobilka expressed enthusiasm and appreciation for the opportunity to work at a world-class institution. He described Tsinghua as a place with a vibrant research environment, particularly in the field of structural biology. Kobilka aims to integrate his Tsinghua laboratory with his Stanford University laboratory, fostering collaboration and mutual learning. He envisions a scenario where both labs can tackle the same research questions, complement each other's efforts, and engage in regular discussions via video calls and online platforms. Additionally, he hopes to establish a strong network of collaboration with other Tsinghua labs to advance specific research areas. In selecting students and postdoctoral fellows, Kobilka values a genuine interest in his research and a strong resolve to tackle difficult and intriguing problems. He believes that perseverance and a willingness to face repeated failures are crucial traits for success in scientific research. Kobilka is cautious about the potential for students to be motivated by his Nobel Prize status rather than a genuine passion for the research, but he remains committed to building a team that is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of their field. Overall, Kobilka's visit to Tsinghua University and his ongoing work there reflect his dedication to advancing scientific knowledge and his belief in the importance of persistence, collaboration, and a focus on challenging research questions. His presence at Tsinghua is expected to inspire and guide the next generation of scientists, fostering an environment of innovation and excellence.
