Below Prof Bob Langer (MIT), cofounder of Moderna, talks about origins of mRNA (cameo for video adaptation of Loonshots)
Short 🧵on lessons from innovation that matters 1/8
#mRNA #vaccine #covid
Short 🧵on lessons from innovation that matters 1/8
#mRNA #vaccine #covid
"My first 9 grant applications were rejected ... I couldn't get a job. People told us that angiogenesis couldn't work ... that mRNA couldn't work.
That was on the front page of the Boston Globe.
They were all wrong." 2/8
That was on the front page of the Boston Globe.
They were all wrong." 2/8
Bob mentions Judah Folkman, who came up with treating cancer by blocking blood vessels feeding tumors - angiogenesis.
Seems like vastly different problems. But not really
The biggest breakthroughs come from … 3/8
bahcall.com/judahs-story/
Seems like vastly different problems. But not really
The biggest breakthroughs come from … 3/8
bahcall.com/judahs-story/
… connecting the dots btw different problems.
The transistor: Bardeen connected semiconductor switching w surface states in metals.
Solving the problem → the most important invention of 20th c. 4/8
amazon.com/Crystal-Fire-T…
The transistor: Bardeen connected semiconductor switching w surface states in metals.
Solving the problem → the most important invention of 20th c. 4/8
amazon.com/Crystal-Fire-T…
Google: connected the dots between a better search algorithm and Bill Gross's method for monetizing search 5/8
slate.com/business/2013/…
slate.com/business/2013/…
In the case of Bob Langer + mRNA, founding team connected the dots btw the need to deliver large molecules for treating cancer + the need to deliver mRNA for a better vaccine .
And Moderna was born.
(Much more to it of course 👇 ) 6/8
bahcall.com/letter-mrna-va…
And Moderna was born.
(Much more to it of course 👇 ) 6/8
bahcall.com/letter-mrna-va…
Lessons:
1. Judah liked to say "You can always tell a leader by counting the arrows in their ass"
2. When I asked him how did he persist for so long despite experts saying it was impossible, his answer: "There are no experts of the future"
... 7/8
1. Judah liked to say "You can always tell a leader by counting the arrows in their ass"
2. When I asked him how did he persist for so long despite experts saying it was impossible, his answer: "There are no experts of the future"
... 7/8
3. Connect the dots between seemingly different problems - that's where the biggest breakthroughs come from
4. Don't give up: "The three deaths of the loonshot" -- it's not a good idea unless it's been killed three times
bahcall.com/five-laws-of-l…
4. Don't give up: "The three deaths of the loonshot" -- it's not a good idea unless it's been killed three times
bahcall.com/five-laws-of-l…
Finally - if you liked Langer's story - please let us know other cameos you would suggest?
What are your favorite discovery stories to inspire scientists + entrepreneurs with their big ideas?
(and share)
Thanks for reading
/END
What are your favorite discovery stories to inspire scientists + entrepreneurs with their big ideas?
(and share)
Thanks for reading
/END
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