[Molecular mechanisms and chemotaxonomy in the indole alkaloids derived from secologanin. (One drop in the sea, the sea in one drop)].

On the occasion of having won the Lajos Winkler Medal, at first the author confessed his intellectual relation to the famous scientist. Then he presented his results in the study on the three-dimensional molecular structure and chemotaxonomy of the more than 2500 alkaloids derived from secologanin and tryptamine, and isolated from three plant families, only. The multiple genetic and structural connections among the individual compounds were supported by current and common organic reaction mechanisms. The unified and well articulated picture obtained on detailed search in electronic data bases demonstrated the order of the parts in the whole. The final section of the lecture appreciated the interplay of multiplicity and unity in our culture and education as well.