Cell researcher Sascha Martens and his team
"For me, it is a job and a hobby merged in one". Molecular biologist Sascha Martens has found a life's work in researching our cell processes. Every day he tries to uncover the mysterious mechanisms surrounding autophagy anew – "not because I have to, but because I want to". We bring Sascha Martens and his team in front of the camera. What we want to know: What motivates you?
"Scientific work preselects a certain kind of people: People who are simply curious"Justyna Sawa-Makarska
Curiosity and perseverance are indispensable in science. This is confirmed by a remarkable error rate: "One out of ten experiments goes wrong". What helps in the case of failures and being borne away is the exchange with colleagues who also have become friends not only once.
What motivates them in particular: Asking questions that need to be answered. The biochemists are studying autophagy, a tiny mechanism that happens every millisecond in all our body cells. If something does not go according to plan, serious diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's may develop. The basic research conducted by Martens’ team thus provides an important building block for therapies and active ingredients of the future. (hm)