Fifty Years of Evolution in Biological Research: Progress and Decline [Hardcover]

Research in biology and all basic sciences has undergone profound transformations in recent decades. We have seen the development of extremely sophisticated techniques, allowing us to study, in an objective manner, questions that were still considered science fiction at the end of the 20th century. All of this has allowed us to develop an in-depth knowledge of vast subjects, such as the biology of the brain, for example.

Fifty Years of Evolution in Biological Research presents a panorama of these different technical advances. However, at the same time, there has been an increase in the number of constraints on researchers, a monetization of research and a correlative pressure to continually publish in more prestigious journals. This has resulted in a certain degradation of the quality of research activity. This book analyzes this evolution and proposes solutions.

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xi

Introduction xv

Chapter 1 The Evolution of Techniques 1

1.1 Hormone assays 1

1.2 Techniques for the identification of steroid hormone action sites in the brain 3

1.3 Molecular biology and sequencing techniques 4

1.4 Controlled modification of gene expression 7

1.5 Techniques for temporarily modifying the activity of neurons 9

1.6 The rise of the computer and the personal computer 11

1.7 Appearance and development of the Internet 18

Chapter 2 The Profound Modification of Research Conditions 23

2.1 The evolution of research funding 24

2.2 The current funding situation: multiple sources of grants that are difficult to control 27

2.3 Ever-increasing constraints 29

2.3.1 Administrative tasks 29

2.