"Basic research is of crucial importance in the creation of innovations. If there is no basic research, soon there will be no applications such as new diagnostic tools or forms of treatment," says Professor Leena Palotie.

As a figurehead in the field of Finnish research into disease genetics and a professor at the Academy of Finland and Professor of Genetics and Molecular Medicine at the University of Helsinki and the National Public Health Institute of Finland, Leena Palotie has wide experience of and views on research and its significance. It is for this very reason that she was the only Finn to be selected for the European Research Council's recently established scientific council.

Palotie says that Finland is well placed to develop new competitiveness from the innovations, as long as we are able to prioritize clearly, achieve an atmosphere that encourages and supports new generations of researchers and there is better cooperation with the various players and financiers in the innovation chain.

"We need additional courage with financing decisions and international experts involved in decision-making. Only in this way will we reach a leading position at the pan-European level. Finland's best is not enough when you are competing for the best in the field and innovation at the world level."

Turning challenges to strengths

"For the future it is crucial that we invest in our strengths and form strong, national centres of expertise that are competitive and credible at the international level. Then it will be easy to attract even those who are best internationally," Palotie believes.

Palotie considers Finland's strengths to be the high level of basic education, excellent social infrastructure, its advanced society, good national ability to invest in research and the reliable Nordic work morale.

"Our challenge is how to keep experts in Finland and how to recruit international specialists here. How are we to productize the fine output of our basic research? How do we direct Finnish funding in research and product development most wisely?

Basic research guaranteed in Europe

Palotie is one of the top 22 European researchers in the European Research Council set up by the European Union. She represents the voice of basic research in biomedicine, flies the flag for strong basic research and considers how the future of the beginning of Europe's innovation chain will be guaranteed.

The Council's task is to ensure that top-grade basic research is financed and competitive and that researchers remain in Europe. "Up till now Europe has been lacking a support system that will finance private top-level research projects and do not require networking outside European countries or quick commercial applications," Palotie explains.

The aim is a new strategically well-considered financing instrument that annually directs 1 to 1.2 billion euros to European basic research. "In this way we will hopefully attract back to Finland those researchers that have moved to the USA."

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Leena Palotie's research field is disease genetics. She heads the top unit in gene research at the Academy of Finland and the primary Nordic unit in disease research and the EU-funded highest-level unit in genome research.