173
3.4 Conclusion
Professor Benito Casu was a giant among carbohydrate chemists and biochemists,
a pioneer in the dissemination of the knowledge of cyclodextrins during more than
30 years (Table 3.1), a pioneer of glycosaminoglycan research during 40 years, a
gifted and dedicated teacher, and a warm, friendly, and generous communicator.
Gentleman Professor Benito Casu will remain a mentor and a guide for all the
researchers involved in the carbohydrate field.
We conclude with two citations of Professor Benito Casu: (1) “Cyclodextrins
have been a source of fascination for over a hundred years as the heart of these
molecules is easy to penetrate although they are hard to crack (Milano, 1993); 2)
“La ricerca intesa come strumento di conoscenza e non come oggetto di competizione e strumento di potere,” i.e., “Research as a tool of knowledge and not as
a matter of competition and power tool” (Montalcini, Elogio dell’ imperfezione).
Fig. 3.9 Professor Casu with Dr. Crini at an Italian-French seminar on polysaccharides (Milan,
Italy, 2010), organized by Dr. Torri, celebrating 15 years of friendly collaboration between the two
laboratories. (Credit image: G. Crini)
3 Professor Casu and Cyclodextrins
3.4 Conclusion
Professor Benito Casu was a giant among carbohydrate chemists and biochemists,
a pioneer in the dissemination of the knowledge of cyclodextrins during more than
30 years (Table 3.1), a pioneer of glycosaminoglycan research during 40 years, a
gifted and dedicated teacher, and a warm, friendly, and generous communicator.
Gentleman Professor Benito Casu will remain a mentor and a guide for all the
researchers involved in the carbohydrate field.
We conclude with two citations of Professor Benito Casu: (1) “Cyclodextrins
have been a source of fascination for over a hundred years as the heart of these
molecules is easy to penetrate although they are hard to crack (Milano, 1993); 2)
“La ricerca intesa come strumento di conoscenza e non come oggetto di competizione e strumento di potere,” i.e., “Research as a tool of knowledge and not as
a matter of competition and power tool” (Montalcini, Elogio dell’ imperfezione).
Fig. 3.9 Professor Casu with Dr. Crini at an Italian-French seminar on polysaccharides (Milan,
Italy, 2010), organized by Dr. Torri, celebrating 15 years of friendly collaboration between the two
laboratories. (Credit image: G. Crini)
3 Professor Casu and Cyclodextrins