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When Jiri Friml's group in plant developmental biology at the University of Tübingen came across some data that went against the field's conventional wisdom, they did what comes naturally to any self-respecting scientist — more experiments. And when each successive round of data bolstered their findings (see Nature 435, 1251–1256; 2005), they did the next natural thing — they celebrated.

After a few rounds of drinks, the group's exuberant conversations delved deeper and deeper into what the data meant, and what to do next. Friml talked to Nature about the conditions that made his team's discovery possible.

How did your ‘scientific naiveté’ help you make this finding?

I am not a biologist by background, and am certainly not a plant biologist. I did my master's in biochemistry/physical chemistry and I think that left me rather ignorant and consequently unbiased when it comes to old paradigms on plant physiology.

What is the benefit of applying chemistry approaches to plant biology?

It gives me a more exact way of studying plant physiology. It is also much faster than waiting weeks or months for plants to grow. You have an idea and then in 3–4 days you can have your answer.

How did you react to your first unexpected results?

The best way to interpret them is probably to go and have a few beers and reflect.

How did your formative years in a provincial part of the Czech Republic colour your approach? What is your involvement with Czech science now?

I would like to help as much as possible. I have lots of people from eastern Europe in the lab. I have some collaborations with people from the Czech Republic. I also teach at a university in Prague, once a year, for five days, from morning to evening.

How have things changed from when you started doing science in the West to now?

At first I felt extremely stupid compared with the other guys. Growing things such as Escherichia coli on a plate — to me that was magic. There were times when I was sleeping 5–6 hours a day and doing nothing else but science. It was fun. At the end of this period, these things came.

I think I was still taking the energy and creativity from the initial enthusiasm I got when I started doing science. Now I have more balance. I have a family — a small daughter. I am doing lots of hiking when I have time. I am more of a manager, but I still have time to ‘play’.