After an extensive interview he arranged for my weaknesses in foreign languages to be over-looked and so I started a Biology degree at Birmingham in 1967. Paul Nurse arrangebiologybirmingham Change image and share on social
A key issue in developmental biology at that time was the problem of how cells underwent differentiation, with most workers concentrating on explanations in terms of changes in enzyme and gene regulation. Paul Nurse biologycellconcentrate share on social
This possibility bothered me as I thought it was not advisable to remain in one academic environment, and the long dark winters in Edinburgh could be rather dismal. Paul Nurse academicadvisablebother Change image and share on social
I have an idealistic view of science as a liberalising and progressive force for humanity. Paul Nurse forcehumanityidealistic Change image and share on social
I felt strongly that since the pursuit of good science was so difficult it was essential that the problem being studied was an important one to justify the effort expanded. Paul Nurse difficulteffortessential Change image and share on social
I am still a keen mountain walker and an enthusiastic glider pilot. Paul Nurse enthusiasticgliderkeen Change image and share on social
Therefore, I reasoned that study of the cell cycle responsible for the reproduction of cells was important and might even be illuminating about the nature of life. Paul Nurse cellcycleilluminate Change image and share on social
Like many students, I found the drudgery of real experiments and the slowness of progress a complete shock, and at my low points I contemplated other alternative careers including study of the philosophy or sociology of science. Paul Nurse alternativecareercomplete share on social
I had a great time investigating the pigments of different mutant fruit flies by following experimental protocols published in Scientific American, and I also remember making my own beetle collection when it was still acceptable to make such collections. Paul Nurse acceptableamericanbeetle share on social
My main efforts focussed on trying to identify the rate controlling steps during the cell cycle. Crucial for this analysis were wee mutants that were advanced prematurely through the cell cycle and so divided at a reduced cell size. Paul Nurse advanceanalysiscell share on social
