Basic, Clinical and Translational Research

Translational research is part of a unidirectional continuum in which research findings are moved from the researcher’s bench to the patient’s bedside and community. In the continuum, the first stage of translational research (T1) transfers knowledge from basic research to clinical research, while the second stage (T2) transfers findings from clinical studies or clinical trials to practice settings and communities, where the findings improve health.

Source: NIH: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2829707

What is basic research?*

Systematic study directed toward greater knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and of observable facts without specific applications towards processes or products in mind.

What is clinical research?*

Research with human subjects that is:

Patient-oriented research. Research conducted with human subjects (or on material of human origin such as tissues, specimens, and cognitive phenomena) for which an investigator (or colleague) directly interacts with human subjects. Excluded from this definition are in vitro studies that utilize human tissues that cannot be linked to a living individual. It includes: (a) mechanisms of human disease, (b), therapeutic interventions, (c) clinical trials, or (d) development of new technologies.
Epidemiological and behavioral studies.
Outcomes research and health services research

[Studies falling under 45 CFR 46.101(b) (4) (Exemption 4) are not considered clinical research by this definition.]

What is 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. 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.

What is translational science?

Learn about the overarching principles of translational science in finding generalizable approaches and solutions to improve the research process.

* Source: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/glossary.htm