Over The Horizon

No Boss Institute

The Swiss Institute of Immunology in Basel -- a research centre which has no bosses -- was an interesting port of call for Dr Robin McFarlane from Lincoln's Animal and Veterinary Sciences Group.

"The scientists work as equals and are ranked as `members' of the institute," says McFarlane. This approach means that the institute has no trouble in attracting new researchers with diverse backgrounds, a crucial component to the institute's success. The set-up also frees scientists from the daily worries of money and administration, according to McFarlane.

"Creativity extends to areas other than science -- the staff have produced an opera and a ballet about the immune system," McFarlane says.

The institute is funded totally by the Hoffman-La Roche Corporation, employs 50 scientists, and has an enviable international reputation with five Nobel Prizes awarded to its researchers.