Researcher portrait, 2009-09-18
Organizing a creative process
Meet Mathias Uhlén, professor of microtechnology, who is most known for his work of charting all human proteins.
In Mathias Uhlén´s bright office stand a number of cardboard boxes leaning against the wall. Is he moving? No, this is a scientist who has come close to it many times, but has always been attracted to staying in Sweden.
– One has to be a good organizer, no doubt about it. As a research director you must also be an active part of the creative process, asking the right questions. With as much data as we have, one must see patterns, prioritize, and make quick decisions. We have to deliver constantly!
– Well, we are a little unusual. In this work we need knowledge from many different areas — of course we have experts on proteins, but also on IT and robotization, pathology and gene cloning. We are truly multidisciplinary.
– Primarily, luck! And I have been nudged in the right directions, just when I needed it most.Sometimes by older colleagues who served as informal mentors, sometimes in the form of awards, prizes and research grants.
– Yes, and I really try to do that. It is fun that we have so many extremely competent scientists here, not least the young women.
– That there is more to life than cancer cells, gene sequences and conferences! Every winter we make a long trip to some new exciting place in the world. Then I can relax completely!
– No, I´m staying in Sweden! Stockholm is a wonderful city. The cardboard boxes are there because I want to get rid of some rubbish on the bookshelves. Plenty of information is flowing!
Most recently in 2003, when he received the largest research grant that has ever been awarded in our country - from the Wallenberg Foundation. With this support, Mathias Uhlén began the strenuous work of charting all human proteins. He reveals that it started as a thriller.
– For the first six months we got no results! It was a crisis. Then suddenly one day, one of our doctoral candidates stumbled upon something that turned out to be the solution to the problem. She discovered something that quite simply made us change our strategy. Since then, it has rolled along!
Ten new proteins every day, 2000 gigabytes of data per week, a new patent each month...how does one manage to lead this enormous work?
– One has to be a good organizer, no doubt about it. As a research director you must also be an active part of the creative process, asking the right questions. With as much data as we have, one must see patterns, prioritize, and make quick decisions. We have to deliver constantly!
What different competences do you have at the department?
– Well, we are a little unusual. In this work we need knowledge from many different areas — of course we have experts on proteins, but also on IT and robotization, pathology and gene cloning. We are truly multidisciplinary.
You seem happy with everything you do — from basic research to starting and running companies. What do you have that others don´t?
– Primarily, luck! And I have been nudged in the right directions, just when I needed it most.Sometimes by older colleagues who served as informal mentors, sometimes in the form of awards, prizes and research grants.
And now you have the power to nudge others forward...
– Yes, and I really try to do that. It is fun that we have so many extremely competent scientists here, not least the young women.
You have three teenage daughters — what have you learned from them?
– That there is more to life than cancer cells, gene sequences and conferences! Every winter we make a long trip to some new exciting place in the world. Then I can relax completely!
But you aren´t moving?
– No, I´m staying in Sweden! Stockholm is a wonderful city. The cardboard boxes are there because I want to get rid of some rubbish on the bookshelves. Plenty of information is flowing!
Text: Eva Krutmeijer
Published in "Passion for research and innovation"
Contact: webbredaktör
Updated: 2009-12-21
Mathias Uhlén, professor of microbiology at the Royal Institute of Technology.
Name: Mathias Uhlén
Research field: Proteins!
Age: 54
Family: Fiancée and three teenage daughters
Secret talent: Electric guitar
Research field: Proteins!
Age: 54
Family: Fiancée and three teenage daughters
Secret talent: Electric guitar
Västra Järnvägsgatan 3
Box 1035, SE-101 38 Stockholm
Box 1035, SE-101 38 Stockholm
Telefon: +46(0)8-546 44 000
Fax: +46(0)8-546 44 180
Fax: +46(0)8-546 44 180
Org nr: 202100-5208
Invoice address: FE 57, SE-833 83 Strömsund
Invoice address: FE 57, SE-833 83 Strömsund