Viewpoint

There could be no more graphic and endearing image of the potential that stem cell research has to replace damaged or diseased tissue - and treat the previously untreatable - than the picture of the smiling, happy and restored Claudia Castillo, after a windpipe transplant.

The Future Delivery of Medicine: technology is delivering huge potential to improve treatments, but can we afford it?

More attention needs to be paid to increasing the ability of cities and regions to absorb innovation, says Sami Mahroum from the UK’s National Endowment for Science, Technology and Arts, and academic colleagues.

Standardised patient records could give the same boost to healthcare as the GSM standard provided to mobile communications, says Nuala Moran.

Forget bank bailouts, investment in innovative sectors like IT, medical devices and biotech will be important in rescuing the US economy. Here’s how John McCain and Barack Obama would apply science and innovation policy to solve the economic crisis.

Cash-rich pharma is dropping any pretence they are buying cash-strapped biotech for access to innovative technology. What it wants is products. Let’s hope it doesn’t suffocate the feedstock of innovation in the process.

Europe’s biotechnology industry needs to speak with one voice and have a single, flagship gathering like the US’s annual BIO conference, says Eric Poincelet.

What’s left to like in the US enterprise system? Plenty, for universities and technology entrepreneurs, says Science|Business Editor Richard L. Hudson

As patent offices choke on the surge in demand, and illegal downloading and counterfeiting grows apace, Francis Gurry, new head of WIPO, outlines his priorities.

Commission President José Manuel Barroso is convinced that the EIT can play a major role in making Europe tomorrow’s magnet for talent.