View source for Translational research

{{short description|Effort to build on basic scientific research}}
{{distinguish|Translation studies}}
{{Improve lead|date=November 2021}}
'''Translational research''' (also called '''translation research''', '''translational science''', or, when the context is clear, simply '''translation''')<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-02-24|title=Translation Research {{!}} NIOSH {{!}} CDC|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/translationresearch/default.html|access-date=2021-11-05|website=www.cdc.gov|language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=What is Translational Research? {{!}} UAMS Translational Research Institute|url=https://tri.uams.edu/about-tri/what-is-translational-research/|access-date=2021-11-05|website=tri.uams.edu|language=en-US}}</ref> is research aimed at translating (converting) results in [[basic research]] into results that directly benefit humans. The term is used in [[science]] and [[technology]], especially in [[biology]] and [[medical science]]. As such, translational research forms a subset of [[applied research]].

The term has been used most commonly in life sciences and biotechnology, but applies across the spectrum of science and humanities. In the context of biomedicine, translational research is also known as '''bench to bedside'''.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Chawla|first=Bhavna|date=2018-08-03|title=Bench to Bedside: Translational Research Demystified|url=https://www.djo.org.in/articles/29/1/Bench-to-Bedside.html|journal=The Official Scientific Journal of Delhi Ophthalmological Society|volume=29|issue=1|pages=4–5|doi=10.7869/djo.367|s2cid=81524567 |doi-access=free}}</ref> In the field of education, it is defined as research which translates concepts to classroom practice.

Critics of translational medical research (to the exclusion of more basic research) point to examples of important drugs that arose from fortuitous discoveries in the course of basic research such as [[penicillin]] and [[benzodiazepines]]. Other problems have stemmed from the widespread irreproducibility thought to exist in translational research literature.

Although translational research is relatively new, there are now several major research centers focused on it. In the U.S., the [[National Institutes of Health]] has implemented a major national initiative to leverage existing academic health center infrastructure through the Clinical and Translational Science Awards. Furthermore, some universities acknowledge translational research as its own field to study for a PhD or graduate certificate in.

== Definitions ==
Translational research is aimed at solving particular problems; the term has been used most commonly in life sciences and biotechnology, but applies across the spectrum of science and humanities.

In the field of education, it is defined for school-based education by the Education Futures Collaboration (www.meshguides.org) as research which translates concepts to classroom practice.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Burden|first1=Kevin|last2=Younie|first2=Sarah|last3=Leask|first3=Marilyn | name-list-style = vanc |title=Translational research principles applied to education: the mapping educational specialist knowhow (MESH) initiative|journal=Journal of Education for Teaching|date=October 2013|volume=39|issue=4|pages=459–463|doi=10.1080/02607476.2013.801216|s2cid=145145150|url=https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/444406/1/Article.pdf}}</ref> Examples of translational research are commonly found in education subject association journals and in the MESHGuides which have been designed for this purpose.<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Younie S | date = 2016 | chapter = Mapping Educational Specialist knowHow (MESH) | title = International Teacher Education Knowledge Mobilisation Summit: a framework for UNESCO SDG4 2030 | publisher = Whitehall | location = London }}</ref>

In bioscience, translational research is a term often used interchangeably with '''translational medicine''' or '''translational science''' or '''bench to bedside.''' The [[adjective]] "translational" refers to the "[[:wiktionary:translation|translation]]" (the term derives from the [[Latin]] for "carrying over") of basic scientific findings in a laboratory setting into potential treatments for disease.<ref name="Woolf_2008">{{cite journal|vauthors=Woolf SH|date=January 2008|title=The meaning of translational research and why it matters|journal=JAMA|volume=299|issue=2|pages=211–3|doi=10.1001/jama.2007.26|pmid=18182604}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|vauthors=Reis SE, Berglund L, Bernard GR, Califf RM, Fitzgerald GA, Johnson PC|date=March 2010|title=Reengineering the national clinical and translational research enterprise: the strategic plan of the National Clinical and Translational Science Awards Consortium|journal=Academic Medicine|volume=85|issue=3|pages=463–9|doi=10.1097/acm.0b013e3181ccc877|pmc=2829722|pmid=20182119}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|author=Science Careers Staff|date=2011|title=Careers in Clinical and Translational Research|language=en|work=Science|url=https://www.science.org/content/article/careers-clinical-and-translational-research|access-date=March 24, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality|date=2017|title=Translating Research Into Practice|url=http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/factsheets/translating/index.html|access-date=March 25, 2018|website=www.ahrq.gov|language=en-us}}</ref>

Biomedical translational research adopts a scientific investigation/enquiry into a given problem facing medical/health practices:<ref>Akarowhe K (2018) Translational Research: Definitions and Relevance. J Biol Med Res Vol.2 No.2:13</ref>  it aims to "translate" findings in fundamental research into practice. In the field of biomedicine, it is often called "translational medicine", defined by the European Society for Translational Medicine (EUSTM) as "an interdisciplinary branch of the biomedical field supported by three main pillars: benchside, bedside and community",<ref name="Cohrs 86–88">{{cite journal|last1=Cohrs|first1=Randall J.|last2=Martin|first2=Tyler|last3=Ghahramani|first3=Parviz|last4=Bidaut|first4=Luc|last5=Higgins|first5=Paul J.|last6=Shahzad|first6=Aamir|name-list-style=vanc|year=2014|title=Translational Medicine definition by the European Society for Translational Medicine|journal=New Horizons in Translational Medicine|volume=2|issue=3|pages=86–88|doi=10.1016/j.nhtm.2014.12.002|doi-access=free}}</ref> from laboratory experiments through clinical trials, to [[therapies]],<ref>{{cite journal|vauthors=Mahla RS|year=2016|title=Stem Cells Applications in Regenerative Medicine and Disease Therapeutics|journal=International Journal of Cell Biology|volume=2016|issue=7|pages=19|doi=10.1155/2016/6940283|pmc=4969512|pmid=27516776|doi-access=free}}</ref> to point-of-care patient applications.<ref>{{cite journal|title=What is Translational Science|url=http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1149350|journal=JAMA|date = 9 January 2008|volume = 299|issue = 2|pages = 211–213|publisher=Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute|doi = 10.1001/jama.2007.26|access-date=9 June 2015|last1 = Woolf|first1 = Steven H.|pmid = 18182604}}</ref> The end point of translational research in medicine is the production of a promising new treatment that can be used clinically.<ref name="Woolf_2008" /> Translational research is conceived due to the elongated time often taken to bring to bear discovered medical idea in practical terms in a health system.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}  It is for these reasons that translational research is more effective in dedicated university science departments or isolated, dedicated research centers.<ref name="pmid11689456">{{cite journal | vauthors = Pober JS, Neuhauser CS, Pober JM | title = Obstacles facing translational research in academic medical centers | journal = FASEB Journal | volume = 15 | issue = 13 | pages = 2303–13 | date = November 2001 | pmid = 11689456 | doi = 10.1096/fj.01-0540lsf | s2cid = 32503545 }}</ref> Since 2009, the field has had specialized journals, the ''[[American Journal of Translational Research]]'' and ''[[Translational Research (journal)|Translational Research]]'' dedicated to translational research and its findings.

Translational research in biomedicine is broken down into different stages. In a two-stage model, ''T1 research'', refers to the "bench-to-bedside" enterprise of translating knowledge from the basic sciences into the development of new treatments and ''T2 research'' refers to translating the findings from clinical trials into everyday practice, although this model is actually referring to the 2 "roadblocks" T1 and T2.<ref name="Woolf_2008" /> Waldman et al.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Waldman|first1=Scott A.|last2=Terzic|first2=Andre|date=2010-10-01|title=Clinical and Translational Science: From Bench-Bedside to Global Village|journal=Clinical and Translational Science|language=en|volume=3|issue=5|pages=254–257|doi=10.1111/j.1752-8062.2010.00227.x|pmid=20973923|issn=1752-8062|pmc=5439613}}</ref> propose a scheme going from T0 to T5. T0 is laboratory (before human) research. In T1-translation, new laboratory discoveries are first translated to human application, which includes phase I & II clinical trials. In T2-translation, candidate health applications progress through clinical development to engender the evidence base for integration into clinical practice guidelines. This includes phase III clinical trials. In T3-translation, dissemination into community practices happens. T4-translation seeks to (1) advance scientific knowledge to paradigms of disease prevention, and (2) move health practices established in T3 into population health impact. Finally, T5-translation focuses on improving the wellness of populations by reforming suboptimal social structures

== Comparison to basic research or applied research ==
[[Basic research]] is the systematic study directed toward greater [[knowledge]] or understanding of the fundamental aspects of [[phenomena]] and is performed without thought of practical ends. It results in general knowledge and understanding of nature and its laws.<ref>"What is basic research?" (PDF). National Science Foundation. Retrieved 2014-05-31.</ref> For instance, basic [[biomedical research]] focuses on studies of [[pathophysiology|disease processes]] using, for example, [[cell culture]]s or [[animal model]]s without consideration of the potential utility of that information.<ref name="Cohrs 86–88" />

Applied research is a form of systematic inquiry involving the practical application of [[science]]. It accesses and uses the research communities' accumulated theories, knowledge, methods, and techniques, for a specific, often state, [[commerce|business]], or [[customer|client-driven]] purpose.<ref>{{Cite report|last = Roll-Hansen|first=Nils | name-list-style = vanc |url=http://www.lse.ac.uk/CPNSS/research/concludedResearchProjects/ContingencyDissentInScience/DP/DPRoll-HansenOnline0409.pdf|title = Why the distinction between basic (theoretical) and applied (practical) research is important in the politics of science|date=April 2009|access-date = November 30, 2013|publisher = The London School of Economics and Political Science}}</ref> Translational research forms a subset of applied research. In life-sciences, this was evidenced by a citation pattern between the applied and basic sides in cancer research that appeared around 2000.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Cambrosio A, Keating P, Mercier S, Lewison G, Mogoutov A | title = Mapping the emergence and development of translational cancer research | journal = European Journal of Cancer | volume = 42 | issue = 18 | pages = 3140–8 | date = December 2006 | pmid = 17079135 | doi = 10.1016/j.ejca.2006.07.020 }}</ref>

== Challenges and criticisms ==
Critics of translational medical research (to the exclusion of more basic research) point to examples of important drugs that arose from fortuitous discoveries in the course of basic research such as [[penicillin]] and [[benzodiazepines]],<ref>{{cite book|last=Tone|first=Andrea|title=The Age of Anxiety: the History of America's Love Affairs with Tranquilizers|year=2009}}</ref> and the importance of basic research in improving our understanding of basic biological facts (e.g. the function and structure of [[DNA]]) that go on to transform applied medical research.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/the-curious-wavefunction/2012/11/26/the-perils-of-translational-research/|title=The perils of translational research|date=November 26, 2012|author=Ashutosh Jogalekar|work=Scientific American Blog Network}}</ref> Examples of failed translational research in the pharmaceutical industry include the failure of anti-aβ therapeutics in Alzheimer's disease.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Golde TE, Schneider LS, Koo EH | title = Anti-aβ therapeutics in Alzheimer's disease: the need for a paradigm shift | journal = Neuron | volume = 69 | issue = 2 | pages = 203–13 | date = January 2011 | pmid = 21262461 | pmc = 3058906 | doi = 10.1016/j.neuron.2011.01.002 }}</ref> Other problems have stemmed from the widespread irreproducibility thought to exist in translational research literature.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Prinz F, Schlange T, Asadullah K | title = Believe it or not: how much can we rely on published data on potential drug targets? | journal = Nature Reviews. Drug Discovery | volume = 10 | issue = 9 | pages = 712 | date = August 2011 | pmid = 21892149 | doi = 10.1038/nrd3439-c1 | doi-access = free }}</ref>

==Translational research-facilities in life-sciences==
[[File:Translational Research Institute, Wooloongabba.jpg|thumb|Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba]]
In U.S., the [[National Institutes of Health]] has implemented a major national initiative to leverage existing academic health center infrastructure through the Clinical and Translational Science Awards.
The [[National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences]] (NCATS) was established on December 23, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ctsaweb.org/|title=Новости Мюнхена и Германии |website=CTSA Web}}</ref>

Although translational research is relatively new, it is being recognized and embraced globally. Some major centers for translational research include:
* About 60 hubs of the Clinical and Translational Science Awards program.<ref>{{cite web|title=Clinical and Translational Science Awards Program Hubs|url=http://www.ncats.nih.gov/ctsa/about/hubs|website=www.ncats.nih.gov|date=13 March 2015|publisher=National Institutes for Health|access-date=31 March 2016}}</ref>
* [[Texas Medical Center]], [[Houston, Texas]], United States<ref>[http://energy.gov/articles/world-s-largest-medical-center-now-among-most-energy-efficient The World’s Largest Medical Center is Now Among the Most Energy Efficient | Department of Energy]. Energy.gov (2011-05-18)</ref>
* [[Translational Research Institute (Australia)]], [[Brisbane, Queensland]], [[Australia]].
* [[University of Rochester]], [[Rochester, New York]], United States has a dedicated Clinical and Translational Science Institute<ref>{{Cite web|title=University of Rochester Clinical and Translational Science Institute | url=https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/clinical-translational-science-institute.aspx | publisher=The University of Rochester}}</ref>
* [[Stanford University Medical Center]], [[Stanford, California]], United States.
* [[Translational Genomics Research Institute]], [[Phoenix, Arizona]], United States.
* [[Maine Medical Center]] in [[Portland, Maine]], United States has a dedicated translational research institute.<ref>{{cite web|title=Maine Medical Center Research Institute attracts top scientists, licenses discoveries|url=http://www.mainebiz.biz/article/20150615/CURRENTEDITION/306119996/maine-medical-center-research-institute-attracts-top-scientists-licenses-discoveries|website=www.mainebiz.biz|publisher=Mainebiz|access-date=17 June 2015}}</ref>
* [[Scripps Research Institute#Scripps Florida|Scripps Research Institute]], [[Florida]], United States, has a dedicated translational research institute.<ref>{{cite web|title=Translational Research Institute|url=https://www.scripps.edu/research/tri/ |website=www.scripps.edu |publisher=The Scripps Research Institute|access-date=17 June 2015}}</ref>
* [[UC Davis|UC Davis Clinical and Translational Science Center]], [[Sacramento, California]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/ctsc/aboutus/|title=UC Davis Clinical and Translational Science Center: About Us|author=UC Davis Health System, Clinical and Translational Science Center}}</ref>
* [[University of Pittsburgh|Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Pittsburgh]], [[Pittsburgh]], [[Pennsylvania]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ctsi.pitt.edu/about-us/|title = About Us &#124; CTSI University of Pittsburgh}}</ref>
* [[Weill Cornell Medicine]] has a Clinical and Translational Science Center.<ref>{{cite web |date=11 May 2023 |title=Weill Cornell Clinical and Translational Science Center |url=https://ctscweb.weill.cornell.edu/ |access-date=11 May 2023 |website=Weill Cornell Medicine}}</ref>

Additionally, translational research is now acknowledged by some universities as a dedicated field to study a PhD or graduate certificate in, in a medical context. These institutes currently include [[Monash University]] in [[Victoria, Australia]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Translational Research – PhD and Graduate Certificate|url=http://www.med.monash.edu.au/cecs/education/translational-research.html |website=www.med.monash.edu.au |publisher=Monash University|access-date=17 June 2015}}</ref> the [[University of Queensland]], Diamantina Institute in [[Brisbane, Australia]],<ref>{{cite web|title=MPhil in Translational Research|url= http://www.di.uq.edu.au/mphil-translational-research |website=www.di.uq.edu.au|publisher=University of Queensland Diamantina Institute|access-date=17 June 2015}}</ref> at [[Duke University]] in [[Durham, North Carolina]], [[United States|America]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Clinical and Translational Research|url=http://medschool.duke.edu/research/clinical-and-translational-research|website=medschool.duke.edu|publisher=Duke University|access-date=17 June 2015}}</ref> at [[Creighton University]] in [[Omaha, Nebraska]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Center for Clinical and Translational Science|url=http://medschool.creighton.edu/medicine/centers/cts/|website=medschool.creighton.edu|publisher=Creighton University|access-date=14 July 2015}}</ref>  at [[Emory University]] in [[Atlanta, Georgia]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Certificate Program in Translational|url=http://www.gs.emory.edu/sites/translational/|publisher=Emory University|access-date=4 Jan 2018}}</ref> and at <ref>{{cite web|title=PhD in Translational Health Sciences|url=https://smhs.gwu.edu/translational-health-sciences/|website=smhs.gwu.edu|publisher=The George Washington University|access-date=9 June 2019}}</ref>[[The George Washington University]] in [[Washington, D.C.]]
The industry and academic interactions to promote translational science initiatives has been carried out by various global centers such as [[European Commission]], [[GlaxoSmithKline]] and [[Novartis]] Institute for [[Biomedical Research]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldpharmanews.com/novartis/1858-novartis-appoints-timothy-wright-md-as-global-head-development-novartis-pharmaceuticals|title=Novartis|work=World Pharma News}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Biological engineering]]
* ''[[Clinical and Translational Science]]'' (journal)
* [[Clinical trials]]
* [[Implementation research]]
* [[Personalized medicine]]
* [[Systems biology]]
* [[Translational research informatics]]
*  ''[[Research practice gap]]'' (Knowledge transfer)

== References ==
{{reflist|32em}}

==External links==
{{Commonscat|Translational researchers}}
* [http://www.tri.edu.au Translational Research Institute]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100611171315/http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/ NIH Roadmap]
* [http://www.ajtr.org/ American Journal of Translational Research]
* [http://www.cvm.ncsu.edu/ccmtr/ Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research]
* [http://crdd.osdd.net/oscat/ OSCAT2012]: Conference on translational medicine

{{DEFAULTSORT:Translational Research}}
[[Category:Medical research]]
[[Category:Research]]
[[Category:Translational medicine|Research]]
[[Category:Nursing research]]