What is it about?
We compare "translational" and "traditional" breast cancer research by looking at the kind of knowledge on which medical scientists base their investigations. We distinguish knowledge referring to "disease areas", "research technologies" and "clinical practice". Only translational research adopts an interdisciplinary approach that systematically exploits research technologies.
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Why is it important?
Medical practice has improved little, if compared to the impressive advances of basic life sciences in the last 40 years. Translational research is expected to boost efficacy of medical research by increasing its interdisciplinary studies and involving patients. Despite the science policy push, scientists find more rewarding to adopt a "traditional" approach, because it offers better recognition in the academic community.
Perspectives
Translational medicine generates great expectations and receives considerable funding. These expectations will be met, and the investments will pay off, if scientists have incentives to pursue such new, and different, approach. We suggest that academia is slow in adopting interdisciplinary approaches and in recognising the value of translational studies.
Giancarlo Lauto
Universita degli Studi di Udine
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This page is a summary of: The knowledge production model of the New Sciences: The case of Translational Medicine, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, October 2016, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2016.05.018.
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Finn Valentin, Maria Theresa Norn, Lars Alkaersig - Orientations and outcome of interdisciplinary research: the case of research behaviour in translational medical science
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