Translational research is an emergent field with varying definitions depending on the source examined. Unlike basic research and clinical research, which are clearly defined and therefore clearly evaluated, those developing translational research programs have encountered difficulty in defining program objectives, knowledge and core skill-sets, appropriate curriculum, and program outcomes, as well as assessment and competency of those outcomes.
This guide explores the multivariate definitions of translational research from reputable sources, examples of its applications, and an example of an academic program in this discipline.
How the Experts Describe Translational Research
In effect, translational research is any type of medical research conducted for the purpose of improving patient outcomes and community health outcomes. The result of the research is to create devices, medicines, algorithms, and businesses dedicated to improving patient health. In addition, translational research seeks to speed up the often painstakingly slow process of developing these helpful options and entities, while continuing to monitor safety and efficacy.
Examine the following definitions:
- The Yale Center for Clinical Investigation elucidates the differences between varied trial stages of clinical research: T1 (translation to humans), T2 (translation to patients), T3 (translation to practice), and T4 (translation to population health).
According to members of the evaluation committee of the Association for Clinical Research Training (ACRT):
“Translational research fosters the multidirectional integration of basic research, patient-oriented research, and population-based research, with the long-term aim of improving the health of the public. T1 research expedites the movement between basic research and patient-oriented research that leads to new or improved scientific understanding or standards of care. T2 research facilitates the movement between patient-oriented research and population-based research that leads to better patient outcomes, the implementation of best practices, and improved health status in communities. T3 research promotes interaction between laboratory-based research and population-based research to stimulate a robust scientific understanding of human health and disease.”
(Video) What is translational research?In an effort to give the term a universal definition, The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defined the term as part of the criteria for its Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Award:
“Translational research includes two areas of translation. One is the process of applying discoveries generated during research in the laboratory, and in preclinical studies, to the development of trials and studies in humans. The second area of translation concerns research aimed at enhancing the adoption of best practices in the community. Cost-effectiveness of prevention and treatment strategies is also an important part of translational science.”
- According to the Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute: “Translational research involves moving knowledge and discovery gained from the basic sciences to its application in clinical and community settings.”
- According to UC San Francisco, translational research (specifically T2) “performs evidence to practice research concentrating on the dissemination and implementation of best practices in prevention and treatment in the community.”
- According to an article in Science Magazine, “Basic science starts with a hypothesis and designs experiments that validate or reject it, with the goal of acquiring knowledge. Translational science starts with a health need and looks for scientific insights or tools to address that need.”
Translational research is a highly collaborative type of research, bringing together researchers from varied disciplines such as medical professionals, engineers, bioinformaticians, community members, patients, epidemiologists, pharmacists, patent experts, lawmakers, regulators, and others in an effort to create better health in local communities as well as nationally and globally. Research ideas can come from any one of these entities or other fields to create questions for research and applications necessary to improve patient health. Translational research is sometimes called “bench to bedside research.”
Translational Research Applications
Translational research is a process that can be applied to any health problem. It may begin with basic research, or it may begin with a health need and work backwards or in a circular motion from there. It always seeks to move the process through to the delivery of solutions into the healthcare system. These solutions may include:
- Clarifying the mechanisms of disease
- Developing drugs and devices to treat health concerns and disease
- Developing measures for the presence, severity, and improvement of disease
- Developing ways to prevent disease
- Developing quality improvement programs
- Developing unique intervention and implementation strategies
- Identifying barriers to positive health outcomes
- Identifying facilitators to positive health outcomes
- Identifying healthy behaviors and care processes for positive health outcomes
Examples of medical applications could include but are not limited to:
- Treating cancer with targeted drug therapies discovered through translational research
- Identifying factors that contribute to mental health diseases and addressing those through targeted drug, diet, and intervention therapies
- Addressing diabetes, obesity, and heart disease through the study of metabolism and other mechanisms in the body
- Genomic translational research to study why some people get sick in the same environment while others do not. (CDC)
- Reducing emergency room visits through collaboration with social support agencies
- Developing new MRI technology and testing with patient care facilities
- Identifying genetic markers for disease through collaboration with researchers, bioinformaticians, and geneticists
- Treating and preventing chronic kidney disease through identifying risk factors, discovering ways to diagnose the disease earlier, and treating through drugs and other ways specific to the disease
- Identifying barriers to being screened for prostate cancer through collaboration between medical practitioners and research firms to gather information about screening misperceptions and addressing those through education campaigns
- Initiating early diagnosis and treatment of pediatric diseases through collaboration between doctors, researchers, patients, families, and healthcare organizations
- Participating in focus groups and patient advocacy groups
- Having community members and patients fill out surveys and participate in community discussion panels
- Inviating healthy individuals to participate in medical studies to advance translational research
Who is Advancing Translational Research?
There are several institutes created for the purpose of advancing translational research objectives. These institutes seek to apply translational research to real-world health problems. For example the Institute of Translational Health Sciences (ITHS) seeks to speed the process of moving research to actual clinical application. The ITHS partners with the University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and Seattle Children’s Hospital and Research Institute, as well as community organizations, regional institutions, and medical providers, in order to promote innovative research and produce translational researchers through their educational programs.
There are many other reputably institutions including:
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
- Nationwide Children’s Center for Clinical and Translational Research
- Oregon Clinical & Translational Research Institute (OCTRI)
- Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute (ACTRI)
- The Translational Research Institute for Metabolism and Diabetes (TRIMD)
- Tufts Clinical and translational Science Institute (CTSI)
- Institute for Translational Research in Children’s Mental Health
- Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (VICTR)
- The North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute
- Seattle Children’s Center for Clinical and Translational Research
- University of Buffalo Clinical and Translational Science Institute
- Mississippi Center for Clinical and Translational Research (MCCTR)
- Colorado Clinical and Translational Research Centers (CTRC)
- Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI)
- Mayo Clinic Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCaTS)
Degree Programs in Translational Research
For those interested in earning a degree in translational research, there is a growing number of programs, including some distance-based options. Master’s degrees and graduate certificates in clinical and translational research can be earned online or on campus at institutions throughout the U.S. For example, George Washington University in Washington D.C. offers a graduate certificate and a master’s degree in clinical and translational research. Similar programs can be found at other higher learning institutions. Courses for these programs may include:
- Foundations in translational research
- Research ethics and human subjects
- Epidemiologic methods
- Clinical research administration
- Biostatistics for clinical and translational research
- Bioinformatics for genomics
Translational research is an important, nascent field in the healthcare landscape. As more professionals and students study translational research and as more entities collaborate to create medicines, devices, algorithms, businesses, and programs to improve patient outcomes, local, national, and global healthcare is expected to change for the better.
FAQs
What is considered translational research? ›
Translational Research takes scientific discoveries made in the laboratory, in the clinic or out in the field and transforms them into new treatments and approaches to medical care that improve the health of the population.*
What is an example of translational research? ›One prime example of translational research in human disease is the study of cancer therapy. Extensive cooperation between basic researchers, clinicians, and industry has generated numerous new targeted compounds with enhanced efficacy and decreased toxicity.
What are the 3 types of translational research? ›The schematic outlines/classifies the stages of translational research as: T1 - developing treatments and interventions. T2 - testing the efficacy and effectiveness of these treatments and interventions. T3 - dissemination and implementation research for system-wide change.
What is the difference between translational and clinical research? ›Clinical research is medical research that involves people like you. ... Translational research is research that applies discoveries generated in the laboratory to studies in humans (bench to bedside), or that speeds the adoption of best practices into community settings (bedside to practice).
What is the purpose of translational research? ›Translational research seeks to produce more meaningful, applicable results that directly benefit human health. The goal of translational research is to translate (move) basic science discoveries more quickly and efficiently into practice.
Who funds translational research? ›In the United States, translational research is funded, in large part, by Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSAs), a program that is part of the Division of Clinical Innovation at the NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS).
What is an example of translational? ›Translational motion is generally seen in rectilinear motion when the body moves in a straight line. Example: A car moving in a straight line and a bullet which gets fired moves in rectilinear motion.
What is the opposite of translational research? ›At the most basic level, clinical research tests theory and application, while translational research facilitates the connection between the study and its practical applications to people. Clinical research involves studying human subjects through surveys, health services research, or clinical trials.
How do you know if research is translational? ›We use three methods to identify translational researchers: (1) participating in CCTS services and programs; (2) self-identifying as a translational researcher; and (3) engaging in activities that are characteristic of translational science. We find little overlap of these differently defined research groups.
What are the two areas of focus for translational research? ›Translational research includes two areas of translation. One is the process of applying discoveries generated during research in the laboratory, and in preclinical studies, to the development of trials and studies in humans.
What does the word translational mean? ›
translational (not comparable) Relating to translation, in its various senses: (translation studies) Relating the act of translating text etc. from one language into another. (physics) Relating to movement of a body in a straight line.
What are the phases of translational research phases? ›| Translational Research Phase | Description |
|---|---|
| T1 | Development of concepts and discoveries from basic research through early phase clinical trials |
| T2 | Establishment of efficacy in humans and clinical guidelines |
Basic research is the foundation of medical discovery. Through it, we learn key information about the fundamental biological, molecular, and chemical processes of life. Translational research is the process of taking a discovery from the laboratory into the clinic, where it can ultimately help people.
What are barriers to translational research? ›These barriers include: a lack of a 'culture of translation' within institutions [4, 5]; inadequate infrastructure, including a lack of facilities to conduct clinical research [2, 5]; and an inadequately trained workforce and difficulties retaining those who do possess the necessary skills [4, 6, 7].
What is transactional research? ›November 2021) Translational research (also called translation research, translational science, or, when the context is clear, simply translation) is research aimed at translating (converting) results in basic research into results that directly benefit humans.
Why translational research is important to clinical practice? ›Translational research transforms scientific findings or discoveries from basic laboratory, clinical, or popula- tion studies into new clinical tools, processes, or appli- cations. Thus, improving patient care and promote public health.
How can translational research be applied to global issues? ›Translational researchers can learn invaluable information about disease symptomatology and therapeutic priorities from the real-world experiences of patients living with a disease. Involving them in each stage in the development of a new medical intervention will help catalyze the entire process.
Is animal research translational? ›Translational research is primarily developed through the use of animal models. Examples in cancer research include xenografting, in which human cancer tissue is transplanted into nude mice (immunosuppressed to avoid rejection) allowing cancer development to be studied in vivo.
Who are the key players in a new translational research network? ›Key players are those people that are seen as well connected and well informed. They are opinion leaders or have power and influence.
Is drug development a translational research? ›► Translational research has emerged as a new paradigm for drug discovery. ► This is driving a change in relationships between pharma, biotech and academia. ► New hubs and nexuses are emerging to integrate expertise from different sectors.
What is translational understanding? ›
Put simply, translation is conveying the meaning of a text from one language (the source text) to another (the target). It's been a way of communicating for centuries and if you think about how it's used, without it, the world would be a very different place.
What is translational framework? ›The NIEHS concept of translational research enables us to track new ideas and knowledge as they move through the translational research process. This expanded framework integrates concepts from previous frameworks, and provides a space for environmental health science.
What is translational effect? ›Translational motion is the motion by which a body shifts from one point in space to another. One example of translational motion is the the motion of a bullet fired from a gun. An object has a rectilinear motion when it moves along a straight line.
Is translational research evidence based practice? ›Evidence-based practice and translation science are not interchangeable terms; EBP is the application of evidence in practice (the doing of EBP), whereas translation science is the study of implementation interventions, factors, and contextual variables that affect knowledge uptake and use in practices and communities.
What is translational research in mental health? ›Translational research in psychiatry involves the development of useful animal behavioral models of psychiatric disorders and preclinical in vitro/vivo studies using brain cells.
How long is translational research? ›This average is associated with a range of six to eight years for studies with a negative or null result, compared with four to five years for those with positive results.
What is the difference between applied and translational research? ›Translational research is broader than the traditional term “applied research.” Applied research is any research that may possibly be useful for enhancing health or well-being. It does not necessarily have to have any effort connected with it to take the research to a practical level.
What is a translation in simple terms? ›1 : an act, process, or instance of translating: such as. a : a rendering from one language into another also : the product of such a rendering. b : a change to a different substance, form, or appearance : conversion.
What is translation explain in short? ›Translation is the process that takes the information passed from DNA as messenger RNA and turns it into a series of amino acids bound together with peptide bonds. It is essentially a translation from one code (nucleotide sequence) to another code (amino acid sequence).
What are translational skills? ›The ability to transfer style, tone and cultural elements accurately from one language to another. If you attend a university to gain an appropriate language qualification, your course will teach you many important translation skills.
What is T1 T2 and T3 in translational research? ›
T1 involves processes that bring ideas from basic research through early testing in humans. T2 involves the establishment of effectiveness in humans and clinical guidelines. T3 primarily focuses on implementation and dissemination research while T4 focuses on outcomes and effectiveness in populations.
What are the 5 stages in research? ›- Step 1 – Locating and Defining Issues or Problems. This step focuses on uncovering the nature and boundaries of a situation or question that needs to be answered or studied. ...
- Step 2 – Designing the Research Project. ...
- Step 3 – Collecting Data. ...
- Step 4 – Interpreting Research Data. ...
- Step 5 – Report Research Findings.
Research is a dynamic process that can be organized into four stages: Exploring, Investigating, Processing, and Creating.
How do you know if research is translational? ›We use three methods to identify translational researchers: (1) participating in CCTS services and programs; (2) self-identifying as a translational researcher; and (3) engaging in activities that are characteristic of translational science. We find little overlap of these differently defined research groups.
What is the difference between basic and translational research? ›Basic research is the foundation of medical discovery. Through it, we learn key information about the fundamental biological, molecular, and chemical processes of life. Translational research is the process of taking a discovery from the laboratory into the clinic, where it can ultimately help people.
What is an example of translational? ›Translational motion is generally seen in rectilinear motion when the body moves in a straight line. Example: A car moving in a straight line and a bullet which gets fired moves in rectilinear motion.
What is the difference between evidence based practice and translational research? ›EBP is the actual application of evidence in practice (the “doing of” EBP), whereas translation science is the study of implementation interventions, factors, and contextual variables that effect knowledge uptake and use in practices and communities.
What is the opposite of translational research? ›At the most basic level, clinical research tests theory and application, while translational research facilitates the connection between the study and its practical applications to people. Clinical research involves studying human subjects through surveys, health services research, or clinical trials.
What are the two areas of focus for translational research? ›Translational research includes two areas of translation. One is the process of applying discoveries generated during research in the laboratory, and in preclinical studies, to the development of trials and studies in humans.
What is meant by translational? ›Definitions of translational. adjective. of or relating to uniform movement without rotation. Antonyms: nontranslational. of or relating to movement that is not uniform or not without rotation.
What phase is translational research? ›
Phase T1 translational research involves work that develops concepts and discoveries from basic research through early phase clinical trials in humans.
Why translational research is important to clinical practice? ›Translational research transforms scientific findings or discoveries from basic laboratory, clinical, or popula- tion studies into new clinical tools, processes, or appli- cations. Thus, improving patient care and promote public health.
What is a simple definition of translation? ›a : a rendering from one language into another also : the product of such a rendering. b : a change to a different substance, form, or appearance : conversion.
What is translational understanding? ›Put simply, translation is conveying the meaning of a text from one language (the source text) to another (the target). It's been a way of communicating for centuries and if you think about how it's used, without it, the world would be a very different place.
What is translational framework? ›The NIEHS concept of translational research enables us to track new ideas and knowledge as they move through the translational research process. This expanded framework integrates concepts from previous frameworks, and provides a space for environmental health science.
What are common barriers for translating research into practice? ›Healthcare professionals' lack of motivation, lack of continuous education, uncooperative and unsupportive organisational culture and the disintegration between knowledge producers and users are the key barriers to the translation of research into clinical practice.
How can translational research be applied to global issues? ›Translational researchers can learn invaluable information about disease symptomatology and therapeutic priorities from the real-world experiences of patients living with a disease. Involving them in each stage in the development of a new medical intervention will help catalyze the entire process.
Is animal research translational? ›Translational research is primarily developed through the use of animal models. Examples in cancer research include xenografting, in which human cancer tissue is transplanted into nude mice (immunosuppressed to avoid rejection) allowing cancer development to be studied in vivo.