Abstract

Many people believe that “excellent basic research results will inevitably lead to practical applications,” but this is not necessarily true. Although it is undeniable that the drugs and medical devices that have been put into practice are the result of excellent research, having excellent research does not guarantee that it will be put into practice. There are countless research seeds that disappear without being implemented. In other words, bridging the gap between basic research and application is as challenging as building a bridge over a turbulent river, and it is not a problem that can be solved by academics and scientists alone. Translational research requires more than just academic rigor. It also involves addressing regulatory and intellectual property issues, securing funding, procuring necessary materials, and most importantly, assembling specialized personnel and support staff to drive the project forward. Bringing all these resources together is no easy feat. Drug discovery and medical device development once took place in large corporations, but as medical science has become more complex, development has shifted entirely to academia. This reality highlights the challenges of creating new medicines, but also the opportunity to solve even the smallest clinical problems (needs) yourself. In this educational talk, I will explore the importance and strategies for translating insights from basic research and clinical practice into practical applications, drawing from my own experience.

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