From MRI to Ozempic: breakthroughs that show why fundamental research must be protected

Breakthroughs in Fundamental Research

Fundamental research, driven by curiosity, has led to groundbreaking discoveries, such as MRI and Ozempic.

In times of financial constraint, it is essential for funders to recognize that significant breakthroughs often arise from work that was initially exploring something entirely different.

Great discoveries often arise from work that was looking for something completely different.

Examples of such breakthroughs include MRI, which emerged from fundamental, curiosity-driven science.

Despite the pressure on budgets for fundamental research worldwide, it is crucial to protect and support these studies, as they primarily aim to advance knowledge for its own sake, without expecting a return on investment.

Author's summary: Fundamental research yields unexpected breakthroughs.

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Nature Nature — 2025-10-30

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