Cell and Gene Therapy

Clinical and Translational Research

According to National Institute of Health (NIH), Clinical Research is defined in 3 ways i.e. (1) Patient oriented research. Research which is 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. This definition excludes the in vitro studies that utilize human tissues that cannot be linked to a living individual. Patient oriented research involves: (a) therapeutic interventions, (b) mechanisms of human disease, (c) clinical trials, or (d) development of new technologies. (2) Epidemiological and behavioural investigations. (3) Outcomes research and health services research.

Translational Research on the other hand includes two areas. One is the process of utilizing discoveries generated in the laboratory during research, and in preclinical studies, to the development trials and studies in humans. Second arena of translation concerns on research aimed at enhancing the adoption of best practices in the community. An important part of translational science also includes cost effectiveness of prevention and treatment strategies.