Steven Lang, M.D.

Impact Statement: Completion of this Specific Aim will make us know more than you can possibly imagine

A nice demonstration of peroxisomes in chronic disease. The role of Peroxisome in Diabetic Neuropathy pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3993…

How should we go about discovery in science in four easy steps: Step 1. Based on available evidence propose a hypothesis about some aspect of nature. Don’t listen to those who try to shoot it down right away because it isn’t dogma. Aren’t we trying to discover new things? Do listen to those who point out more “available evidence.” Maybe you didn’t know something fundamental. Maybe the experts do know things you left out. Study hard, refine your idea. You want a new idea not a naive idea, but if in doubt just go with a naive idea. It will work out in the next steps. Step 2: Predict things that would result from your hypothesis. Don’t make your predictions flexible that you could change or things that we already know. Do make them very specific. It’s like a bet that you lock in. It is a consequence of your hypothesis. Step 3: Go test the predictions. Do experiments that directly address the prediction. If you are trying to prove yourself right you are going to shortchange your experiments. The best question to ask is what evidence would falsify the prediction. Do that experiment first! Don’t do something that you already know the answer to (if you already knew the answer please go back to step 1). Do include all the controls, account for all the conditions and gather the data in the most objective way possible. Try to ignore what you want to happen and just observe what does happen. Key point is you always collect data the same way that you can document and others could repeat and get the same result. Step 4: Do your results disagree with your prediction? Yes- congratulations your hypothesis is wrong, the data have spoken go back to step 1. No- you might be onto something, but calm down you are probably still wrong, go back to Step 3. If you get back here over and over you might have something! Is it time for a new hypothesis?