Translational Research Scientists
This field of research includes PhDs., M.D.s and doctors who have both an MD and a
PhD and are called 'physician-scientists'. MD's in this field often treat patients as
well as conduct research. These researchers study mechanisms involved in cancer
'in vivo' (in a living organism), including both laboratory animals and humans.
In order to make any advances in translational cancer medicine, lines of
communication between researchers and clinicians must remain open. This
philosophy is depicted in the image above.
The development and maintenance of adequate shared infrastructures is considered
a major goal for academic centers promoting translational research programs. For
example, rather than buying 20 of the same machine for each lab, a University may
now have 10 and researchers share them. This saves both money and space.
Also, appropriate policies are needed to encourage the academic culture to move
toward more collaboration, improve administrative facilitations for translational
research and create efficient organizations that support clinical trial recruitment.
