Few appreciate the differences between the Slovak and North American cultures as well as Mark Mokry, who was born and raised in Canada to Slovak parents, remained in Canada for four years after marrying his Nitra-born wife in an elaborate Slovak wedding, and then 12 years ago moved his young family to Slovakia where they still live today. His 'passion for Slovak culture', as he calls it, does not seem to have diminished over the years. Molecular biologist Monika Gullerova, a native of Slovakia, has established her own specialised laboratory in the heart of Oxford. She discusses her pioneering work in developing cancer therapies based on synthesising the natural mechanisms present in human DNA.