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On May 6, 2019, some 350 participants enjoyed the inspiring as well as entertaining 13th CeMM Karl Landsteiner Lecture, delivered by Luke O´Neill, Chair of Biochemistry at Trinity College Dublin. In his talk “Will we cure all diseases by targeting Inflammation?” which addressed scientists as well as lay people, Professor Luke O´Neill pointed out the desperate need for new treatments for important diseases. 7,000 distinct diseases are currently only faced with 500 available treatments! Many socially important illnesses, like neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, neuropsychiatric disorders, many inflammatory disease, osteoarthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and lupus desperately need new medicines. Considering a timeline of at least 10 years from the discovery of a new, disease-causing molecular mechanism, to the development of an effective drug, he emphasized that one cannot overestimate the importance and urgency of basic research to grow the fundaments of our understanding.  Luke O´Neill highlighted the five discoveries in medicine with the largest impact, which are vaccines, penicillin (antibiotics), anesthetics, insulin and birth control and gave an insight into his own research focusing on inflammation at the root of most diseases. Vividly, he described the inflammatory process and pathways as a domino game and the importance of searching for the first targetable domino stone piece to effectively interfere with the process. He forged a bridge from the discovery of NLRP3 as one main pathway for pathology in multiple inflammatory diseases, to the detection of effective small molecules, from the most valuable basic research, to the impact on drug discovery and development. Luke O´Neill reminded the scientists among the audience about the importance of their work, he stood up for funding and support through the responsible politicians and policy-makers. He also stressed the importance of science communication with the wider public and, at the same time, raised hopes for the future with many new treatments at the horizon.  After the talk and a cocktail reception, he rocked the Haus der Industrie as lead singer and guitarist of his band “The Metabollix”. Thank you to Luke O´Neil for his excellent talk and a brilliant concert.