This blog written by: Dr. Anantha Shekhar, Director of the Indiana CTSI.
The term “bench to bedside” has received considerable attention in the biomedical community over the last few years. When researchers mention the phrase, “bench to bedside” they are referencing the concept of ‘translational medical research’. Many in the biomedical community see translational research as a new way of thinking about and conducting life sciences research to accelerate healthcare outcomes. Scientists are mindful that the bench-to-bedside approach to translational research is a two-way street. Basic scientists provide clinicians with new tools for use in patients and for assessment of their impact, and clinical researchers make novel observations about the nature and progression of disease that often stimulate basic investigations. Defined, translational research is “the process by which basic scientific discoveries are transformed through clinical application into new medical treatments and products to enhance the diagnosis, treatments, and prevention of diseases”. Translational research is also concerned with how the process can be more efficient and accelerate the research process so discoveries can make more of an impact in the lives of patients. To further this cause the NIH has set up the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSAs) program. The CTSA program creates Translational Science institutes in universities and schools of medicine across the country. CTSA institutions work to transform the local, regional, and national environment to increase the efficiency and speed of clinical and translational research across the country. Indiana is fortunate to have received one of these awards, used to establish the Indiana Clinical Translational Sciences Institute (ICTSI). In the next post in this series, we will discover exactly what Indiana is doing in the area of translational medical research.
Find out more about CTSI at http://www.indianactsi.org/
Contact Dr. Shekhar at ashekhar@iupui.edu
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