Undoubtedly, the most remarkable scientific achievement this year so far has been the breathtaking images of the farthest reaches of the universe sent back to Earth by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Observing these new infrared images of galaxies, which are scattered across millions of light-years, in comparison to previous commendable but limited views provided by the Hubble Space Telescope, feels like humanity has cleaned the lens through which we view the cosmos, offering us a clearer and deeper vision than ever before. Even those with only a casual interest in cosmology can appreciate the extraordinary advances made by scientists through the JWST’s powerful capabilities.
To some, including this casual cosmologist, these unprecedentedly detailed images prompt a comparison between the external universe and the internal realms science seeks to understand. Many years ago, before humanity achieved its current level of astronomical technology, renowned astrophysicist and science communicator Carl Sagan famously remarked, “The cosmos is also within us. We’re made of star-stuff. We are a way for the cosmos to know itself.” He was emphasizing that the very matter that forms our solar system, Earth, and all its life originated from stars that died long ago and far away. Sagan also recognized that our internal universe is just as complex and mysterious as the celestial bodies and interstellar space people have pondered since the dawn of humanity.
There are numerous parallels between our progress in understanding the cosmos around us and our efforts to unravel the mysteries of life’s internal workings. As astronomical technology evolved from Galileo’s telescope to the Hubble Space Telescope and now to the JWST, life science tools have similarly advanced. From simple light microscopes to electron and fluorescence microscopes to state-of-the-art super-resolution techniques, these innovations have provided researchers with increasingly detailed views into the microscopic world of biology. Discovering that living organisms are made of cells was once a groundbreaking realization. Since then, scientists have delved deeper into the fundamental components of life.
Beyond merely observing the intricate structures of living organisms, life scientists are now capable of deciphering molecular mechanisms. This is where the study of the cosmos and biology somewhat diverge. While cosmologists aim to understand the functioning and evolution of stars, black holes, and galaxies, there isn't always a pressing need to comprehend the universe from a functional perspective. In contrast, understanding biology at this level is crucial. Simply observing the complexity of cells and genomes is insufficient. Biologists must also determine how these components interact and adapt to various environments and challenges. Imaging viruses or bacteria is valuable in basic science, but understanding how pathogens penetrate cells and manipulate their machinery to replicate, infect, and incapacitate can literally save lives.
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