What makes a good drug target?

Integrins as target: first phase III trial launches, but questions remain.

C ellular glue, signaling molecule, cancer accessory — scientists have described various functions for the integrin cellular receptors since the 1970s. And now they may be adding another role to the list: For the first time, an integrin as a target for cancer therapy has made it to a phase III clinical trial. Merck KGaA, based in Germany, is sponsoring the trial to test cilengitide, an RGD (arg...

Responsibilising Managers and Clinicians, Neglecting System Health? What Kind of Healthcare Leadership Development Do We Want?; Comment on “Leadership and Leadership Development in Healthcare Settings - A Simplistic Solution to Complex Problems?”

Responding to Ruth McDonald’s editorial on the rise of leadership and leadership development programmes in healthcare, this paper offers three arguments. Firstly, care is needed in evaluating impact of leadership development, since achievement of organisational goals is not necessarily an appropriate measure of good leadership. Secondly, the proliferation of styles of leadership might be unders...

What makes a good process?

So what makes a “good process”? This is a question that I am often asked. Usually the person asking is looking for a simple answer: “One that has no more than 10 task boxes” or “only has two handovers” or “one that looks long and thin.” Of course, things are not that simple, and there is a difference between what makes a good process and what makes a good process model. It is often the latter t...

Why we need to read and understand literature: literariness and Hans Rosling’s Factfulness (2018)

My article addresses the qualities of “good” literature and how an understanding of the nature of literary devices, so-called “literariness”, can enhance the reading experience. Focusing on Hans Rosling’s Factfulness (2018), I discuss some of the most important features of good writing. Six literary devices have been selected for special attention: point of view, tone, amplification, anecdotes,...

Polymeric Gas Separation Membranes: What Makes them Industrially more Attractive?