I think it was this curiosity about the natural world which awoke my early interest in science.

At age 11 in 1960, I moved to an academic state secondary school, Harrow County Grammar School for Boys.

It was during my time at secondary school that I abandoned religion.

I felt strongly that since the pursuit of good science was so difficult it was essential that the problem being studied was an important one to justify the effort expanded.

Better understanding of the natural world not only enhances all of us as human beings, but can also be harnessed for the better good, leading to improved health and quality of life.

Therefore, I reasoned that study of the cell cycle responsible for the reproduction of cells was important and might even be illuminating about the nature of life.

It has been a privilege to pursue knowledge for its own sake and to see how it might help mankind in more practical ways.