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What is Translational Research?
The word “translation” comes to English from Latin, meaning “carried across.” The term “translational research” describes the concept of carrying new ideas and findings from the research bench to the patient’s bedside, where they are used to prevent, detect, and treat disease. However, this field is multi-directional—findings made in basic research inform clinical research, while observations in the clinic, made by both patients and physicians, in turn help drive basic research. Translational research is a key factor in developing discoveries that are meaningful for people, whether they have a chronic disease, a single health event, or visit their family doctor once a year.
Here are a few ways that we are advancing translational research at Sanford-Burnham:
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Translational Research Alliance
The Translational Research Alliance (TRA) was formed in 2011. The TRA is a collaboration between the University of California, San Diego, The Scripps Research Institute, the University of Southern California, and Stanford University School of Medicine—with Sanford-Burnham at the core.
The founding members are:
- Salvatore Albani, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor and Director, Translational Research Program
Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center
Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute
Dr. Albani has developed several innovative approaches in the area of induction and maintenance of tolerance in human autoimmune diseases, including the development of a therapy for rheumatoid arthritis that shows promise in Phase II clinical trials. He is renowned in the field of translational medicine and autoimmune inflammation.
- Gary Firestein, M.D.
Director, Clinical and Translational Research Institute
Dean and Associate Vice Chancellor, Translational Medicine
University of California, San Diego
Dr. Firestein is an internationally recognized leader in the area of translational rheumatology. He has a long standing history of collaboration with Sanford-Burnham.
- Martin Lotz, M.D.
Professor, Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine
The Scripps Research Institute
Dr. Lotz is a leader in studies of pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative osteoarthritis. He has specific translational experience and also constitutes an important liaison with the clinical community.
- Luca Guidotti, D.V.M.
Associate Professor, Experimental Pathology
Department of Immunology and Microbial Science
The Scripps Research Institute
Dr. Guidotti is a well known expert in the area of immunopathology of liver infections, with a specific focus on animal models of hepatitis C virus and in vivo imaging.
- Andreas Reiff, M.D.
Professor, Pediatrics and Division Chief, Pediatric Rheumatology
University of Southern California
Dr. Reiff is a well-respected clinical researcher in pediatric rheumatology. He leads one of the largest clinical research operations in the U.S. He is also a founder and chief scientific officer of Therakine, a company developing nanotechnology delivery systems.
- Mark Genovese, M.D.
Professor, Medicine and Head, Division of Rheumatology
Stanford University
Dr. Genovese is a clinical research pioneer in the field of rheumatology. He has a long standing history of collaboration.
The TRA is developing a research program dedicated to rheumatology and other inflammatory diseases by achieving a critical mass of expertise and resources—often one of the largest hurdles in performing research for patients. By leveraging the specific expertise provided by each participating institution, the team will be able to effectively integrate basic and translational research capabilities with outstanding clinical centers.
The TRA will catalyze research to develop protocols and drug targets for patients, as well as spark new Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA)-sponsored activities. The collaboration will provide the basis for program-level projects and for translational initiatives which, for example, could develop promising technology to Phase 0/I clinical trials with a mix of public and private funding supporting novel enterprises. Once proven, the TRA can be expanded later to other centers of excellence.
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Eureka Institute for Translational Medicine
One of the areas being neglected in translational medicine is the lack of comprehensive education to prepare researchers for the challenges of developing new drugs. To help correct this, Sanford-Burnham’s Dr. Salvatore Albani co-founded the Eureka Institute for Translational Medicine, an initiative based on collaboration and international cooperation. Eureka hosted a consensus conference that brought together leaders from different research disciplines—as well as from publishing, government, business, academic, and legal enterprises—to develop the framework for an innovative certificate program in translational medicine. The certificate program is held each May and continues to bring together a diverse group of professionals, with a common goal to make a difference in human health.
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Translational Research Seminar Series
The Translational Research Seminar Series is another educational endeavor aimed at fostering translational research. These lectures—held regularly in San Diego’s Torrey Pines Mesa research cluster—are open to the public. The series features renowned research and business professionals with personal experience in the translational trenches. The purpose of these lectures is to learn how people have faced the challenges of translational research, discuss the outcomes of their efforts, and demystify this branch of research to encourage a culture of translation.
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The CARRA Network & TREAT
Dr. Salvatore Albani believes that creating and nurturing a network by which science can thrive is key to success. To this purpose, he and colleagues founded the Childhood Arthritis & Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA), which seeks to prevent, treat, and cure rheumatic diseases in children and adolescents through fostering, facilitating, and conducting high quality research.
The Albani lab is also participating in a multi-center, national trial for early and aggressive treatment in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (TREAT). The TREAT network combines the experience and expertise and resources of clinicians and researchers, universities, and clinics.
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