Summary
The preliminary idea behind translational
medicine, conducting biological research to treat diseases, is not a new
concept. But, scientists have been serious about placing the patient at all
levels of the research process – right at the basic science level phase and all
the way to the bedside – since only the 1990s. Today, translational research is
a scientific field, although multidisciplinary. That innovation stemmed from
the discoveries of new diseases and new technologies that allow healthcare professionals
to have new perspectives on how to better and more efficiently treat patients.
Translational medicine is viable, and it has already proved itself in many
areas. Normally, every great discovery or innovation comes with both rewards
and challenges, and continuous improvement is what keeps it alive.
Translational research, an innovative concept, is not impervious to that rule.
This paper examines the antecedents of translational medicine and how it came
about. It considers the importance of incorporating basic science, applied
science or clinical research, and the patient at every turn of the processes by
analyzing the importance of translational research and its direct applications.
On the other hand, this paper considers the challenges faced by translational
medicine in an age where healthcare costs are skyrocketing, and suggests what
can be done to circumvent the downsides. Finally, because the field is
relatively new and promising, the discussion that follows also considers the
outlook for translational medicine, and how important it is for scientists –
artificial intelligence experts, computer, or bioengineers, healthcare
professionals and healthcare management professionals – to lay right now the
groundwork for future generations.
Abstract
Translational medicine or translation research
is an umbrella term that covers specific research in biological sciences whose
main goal is to increase human life expectancy by keeping us healthy (from
better ideas to better health). It’s synonymous with translational medical
science, disease-targeted research, or evidence-based research. Translation
research is particular because of its bidirectional nature. It’s commonly
called the B2B approach or bench to bedside approach because it incorporates clinical
skills and observations as well as scientific hypotheses utilized by
researchers in the laboratories. The whole concept functions in a loop: bench
to bedside and back. It translates knowledge, skills, or science from one place
to another not only by focusing on the traditional 4P-Medicine –
personalization, prevention, prediction, and participation – but also by taking
into consideration another 3 Ps: providing (staff training), preemptive
(research and development), and point of care (making sure that healthcare can
be given anytime anywhere). Because of that, translational medicine can be
viewed as a paradigm shift. This revolutionary concept shows how research
discoveries can translate into effective therapies… Moreover, the understanding
of disease pathology and preclinical models (their availability, their
relevance to the disease and their translatability are considered key focus of
modern translation research or translational medicine. Disease pathology may
differ from one individual to the next. Researchers in the biological and the
medical fields understand that. Thus, today, pharmacogenomics or personalized
medicine is a field in the making and is set to revolutionized how patients are
treated because the one size fits all approach is becoming more and more a
thing of the past. Disease pathology also prompts researchers to consider our
genetic makeups or our DNA first thing when trying to invent drugs or medical
techniques likely to improve or enhance life expectancy. Download the paper
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