The role of basic science in the development of health care has received more and more
attention. In my own area of research involving the so-called eicosanoids, there are many
examples of how studies of structure and function of small molecules, as well as proteins
and genes, have led to new therapeutic agents for treatment of a variety of diseases. In most
of the cases, the discoveries have resulted in the recognition of novel therapeutic targets
amenable to modulation by small molecules. However, there are also examples in which the …