“It is a vocation of Switzerland to train graduate students so that they are operational in their own countries”, says Prof. Kurt Hostettmann, molecule hunter.

By Camille Bozonnet

Professor Kurt Hostettmann is an international hunter of molecules. He concentrates his attention on Swiss and other prey: medicinal plants supposed to contain components that can become drugs. His job in the Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, University of Geneva, is to conduct basic research, which inspires the pharmaceutical industry to develop new medications. His team of colleagues and graduate students and himself are now focused on remedies specific to the aging population, such as herbal drugs to cure Alzheimer’s disease, erectile dysfunction or to relieve problems associated with menopause, such as hot flushes and irritability… Meeting with a brilliant enthusiast, who believes in his vocation for passing on knowledge.

Anything special you learned in Switzerland, and that you couldn’t have learned elsewhere?

Scientific rigour. It’s probably the most important thing I’ve learned in Neuchâtel where I got my PhD. During my postdoctoral stay at Columbia University, New York, I had access to better technology, which was fantastic. This is one of the strong points of the United States. However, the strict training is not only useful but essential to take advantage of.

What is the reputation of Swiss education abroad?

I have the feeling it is good. We receive foreigners’ applications two to three times a week, either for a training period or for a PhD under my guidance. I have already had around sixty graduate students, from all over the world: China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Congo, Thailand, Brazil, Ivory Coast, Mali, etc.

And regarding Swiss research?

The reputation is excellent in pharmacy, chemistry, biology, biotechnology and physics. One of the best in Europe if not the best. Partly because of the flourishing pharmaceutical industry.

Is Geneva seen abroad as a major scientific center?

Actually, my institute was moved to Geneva just one year ago. It is too recent for me to have an overall view. And I cannotspeak for all the fields. As far as the School of Pharmacy is concerned, it has a very strong reputation, especially the Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry I manage, and the groups of pharmaceutical technology and medical chemistry. They attract foreign undergraduate and graduate students although the French-only teaching before the thesis is a big limitation. However, language doesn’t matter for the graduate students because they’re given the opportunity to write their doctoral dissertation in one of our three main languages (French, German and Italian) or in English, which increases possibilities and puts students’ minds at ease. It certainly is one of Switzerland’s strengths.

What else can attract foreigners?

First, our reputation for high-level education – we have already mentioned the renowned scientific rigour. Secondly, our toplevel equipment, which definitely is a plus for African, South American and Asian students. Finally, our success stories. It’s fair to say that the most important remedies were discovered in Switzerland.

For example?

Everybody has heard of LSD, which was discovered in 1943 in Basel by Albert Hofmann – in the Sandoz laboratories known today as Novartis. Another example, ciclosporine, is also used worldwide as an immunosuppressive drug for organ transplantations. We don’t have any natural resources here. But we do have brains. It’s our unique richness. Foreign students know that. Studying in our laboratories offers them a better chance to return to their country of origin and start a famous academic career.

	Professor Kurt Hostettmann Head, Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Geneva. Born in 1944, in Meyriez (FR), Switzerland. Married, no children.
	1973 PhD, University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland
	1976 Postdoctoral Scholar, Columbia University, New York, USA
	1981 Full Professor, University of Lausanne
	1981 Head, Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland
	2002 Honorary Professor, Chinese Scientific Academy, Shanghai, China
	2003 Honorary Professor, University of Panama, Panama
	2003 Doctor honoris causa, University of Toulouse, France
	2004 Vice-president of the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Section, University of Geneva
	2005 Honorary Professor, University of Jinan, China
	2005 Honorary Chairman of the Editorial Advisory Board of Phytochemical Analysis
	2005 Elected foreign corresponding member of the National Academy of Pharmacy, Paris, France