What is Translational Research?
To improve human health, we need practical, affordable, solutions with a flow of information from scientific research to the public domain and back again. This is translational research. It typically has three distinct phases:
Phase 1 - Reviewing existing research evidence and observational and epidemiological research in context, followed by basic science and clinical trials with appropriate controls, often known as 'bench-to-bedside';
Phase 2 - evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of interventions in community and school programmes or routine clinical practice (Phase 2a), and informing and evaluating evidence-based public policy (Phase 2b);
Phase 3 - establishing sustainable solutions through continuous improvement and providing evidence to support change and refinement so that environments better support healthful behaviours.
The Centre's perception of Translational Research has been detailed in the British Medical Journal