What is translation?

• The process of turning observations in the laboratory, clinic and community into interventions that improve the health of individuals and the public

What is translational science?

• A key tenant of translational science is to understand common causes of inefficiency and failure in research (i.e. barriers).
• Many of these barriers are the same across targets, diseases, and therapeutic areas. Therefore, translational science focuses on the general case that can be applied to research on any target or disease.

What is a translational barrier?

• The obstacle(s) that hinder the movement of scientific discoveries from the laboratory into clinical practice, and ultimately, into public health benefits

What are examples of translational barriers?

• A key distinguishing features of a translational science project are (1) the focus on overcoming roadblocks to enhance the efficiency and speed of translational research and (2) the generalizability of the solutions across a range of diseases and conditions.
• Examples spanning preclinical through public health research (i.e. the translational science spectrum) are addressed in:
• Austin CP. Opportunities and challenges in translational science. Clin Transl Sci. 2021 Sep;14(5):1629-1647. doi: 10.1111/cts.13055. Epub 2021 Jul 8. PMID: 33982407; PMCID: PMC8504824.
• Leppin AL, et.al. Situating dissemination and implementation sciences within and across the translational research spectrum. J Clin Transl Sci. 2019 Jul 29;4(3):152-158. doi: 10.1017/cts.2019.392. Erratum in: J Clin Transl Sci. 2020 Jul 06;4(4):371. doi: 10.1017/cts.2020.490. PMID: 32695482; PMCID: PMC7348034.
• Rim JG, et.al. Accelerating evidence generation: Addressing critical challenges and charting a path forward.J Clin Transl Sci. 2024 Oct 31;8(1):e184. doi: 10.1017/cts.2024.621. PMID: 39655038; PMCID: PMC11626582.
• NIH NCATS’ Drug Discovery, Development and Deployment Maps
• Small Molecule
• Biologics
• CCTS Clinical & Translational Science Pilot Program
• CCTS Clinical & Translational Science Research Program

How are translational barriers identified and overcome?

• Translational barriers are often part of the systems in which research is conducted. Therefore, innovations may be a matter of addressing scientific, operational, financial, or administrative burdens.
• The application of translational science principlesaccelerate the development, demonstration and dissemination of research to improve health.