Info on Translational Research?

[Toastayy]

So the term translation research has been thrown around a couple of times in the lab that I currently work in, because some of the R.As know that I am still on the fence between MD or Ph.D.

So my question is, what exactly is it? I've googled and searched SDN and found a couple of articles/answers from back in '07. I understand that its "translating" bench to a more clinical approach. But, I still don't get it.

And how does one get into such a program? Does it require an MD or Ph.D or the dual degree? I see that Penn has a MD/MTR program but it explicitly states for Medical Students already at Penn. What I understand from their program is that Medical Students are accepted and then have to apply for the dual degree? Sounds kind of wierd to me.

Are all the programs like this? How about Undergrad involvement? Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[postbacpremed87]

Translational research experience would be huge.

 

[Hammergin]

So the term translation research has been thrown around a couple of times in the lab that I currently work in, because some of the R.As know that I am still on the fence between MD or Ph.D.

So my question is, what exactly is it? I've googled and searched SDN and found a couple of articles/answers from back in '07. I understand that its "translating" bench to a more clinical approach. But, I still don't get it.

And how does one get into such a program? Does it require an MD or Ph.D or the dual degree? I see that Penn has a MD/MTR program but it explicitly states for Medical Students already at Penn. What I understand from their program is that Medical Students are accepted and then have to apply for the dual degree? Sounds kind of wierd to me.

Are all the programs like this? How about Undergrad involvement? Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks

Here is my understanding of translational:

It is still considered basic science research since you are at the bench, not with patients. However, the focus is on projects that are closer to getting a drug or technology to the bedside. For example, a basic science research lab may have found a particular protein that, for example, makes a mouse lose weight when it is overexpressed. The translational lab can look more closely on the clinical relevance and how to package the protein such that it can be delivered in vivo.

I'm not aware of dual degree programs specifically designed for translational research but that doesn't mean they don't exist. You can certainly do a PhD or an MD/PhD in a translational research lab though.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

So the term translation research has been thrown around a couple of times in the lab that I currently work in, because some of the R.As know that I am still on the fence between MD or Ph.D.

So my question is, what exactly is it? I've googled and searched SDN and found a couple of articles/answers from back in '07. I understand that its "translating" bench to a more clinical approach. But, I still don't get it.

And how does one get into such a program? Does it require an MD or Ph.D or the dual degree? I see that Penn has a MD/MTR program but it explicitly states for Medical Students already at Penn. What I understand from their program is that Medical Students are accepted and then have to apply for the dual degree? Sounds kind of wierd to me.

Are all the programs like this? How about Undergrad involvement? Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks

translational research is kind of a big buzz phrase these days; it's about bringing some of the advancements being made in the bench/basic sciences to clinical applications. an example would be finding a new mutation in an enzyme and developing a screening assay in patients, linking it to diagnosis/prognosis. because of the clinical component, translational projects often have MDs attached to them; but quite frankly, any research can be "translational" if you just pitch it right, and PhDs, MDs, and MD-PhDs can all be involved in translational research. historically, i believe the purpose of MSTPs/MD-PhDs was precisely to educate a new breed of translational researchers, but whether this actually achieves the goal is debatable

Translational research experience would be huge.

very helpful. 👎

 

[slatermd]

Translational research experience would be huge.

very helpful. 👎

 

[SilverBvllet]

There is a Physician-scientist forum on SDN. You gotta scroll way down where we are segregated. Here is a thread about translational research:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=437367

Hope that helps.

 

[Toastayy]

Thanks for the responses!

I saw the thread from '07 but i thought it was time for a update😛

I guess I was hoping that it wasn't just bench research, although it does sound interesting. But as someone said, any type of research can be considered translational with the right wording.

Eh, i'm just kind of lazy and just don't feel that i'm interested in going to a lab everyday performing experiments (some very routine) to get a Ph.D degree much less dual.

The masters from Penn seems a tad more enticing, and the whole "MDs can do research without a Ph.D" seems more my speed.

 

[CielloStelatto]

If you have little interest in the first step of translational research (i.e. the part in a lab, every day), then I'd highly recommend you don't go for a Ph.D. Anyone I've talked to or ever heard of who went to grad school without loving research is miserable (true that I have no stats, but you get my drift).

If you are more into the medicine aspects, clinical trials, etc.. you can get involved with those with an MD (or MD/MA but that's really not necessary at that point). That way, if you don't fall in love with the translational aspects, you still have tons of possible medical fields that you can explore. I also know a few RNs who spend about half their time doing clinical studies.

 

[Charles_Carmichael]

The masters from Penn seems a tad more enticing, and the whole "MDs can do research without a Ph.D" seems more my speed.

If you're referring to basic/translational research, that statement is slightly misleading. Yes, you can still conduct bench research with an MD-only and without pursuing a PhD, but you'll still have to put in the time in a lab before becoming an independent PI. This will probably be as a post-doc before/after residency, pursuing research-track residencies, etc. Med school + residency, for the most part, are designed to put out clinicians, not researchers, so you'll need to gain the lab experience no matter what, whether it's through a formal PhD or as a post-doc.

If you're referring to clinical research, I'm not entirely sure if an additional post-doc or something like that is needed after an MD.

 

[Tuan]

Translational research is not limited to the basic and clinical research (also called "T1" and "T2". Another branch of translational research "T3" deals with application of clinical research into best practices in the wider community and community health research.