Translational Research
Translational research is the vital bridge connecting laboratory discoveries to clinical practice and public health impact. At Pars Medicine, our translational research programs accelerate the journey from bench to bedside and back again, ensuring that scientific breakthroughs improve patient care and that clinical observations generate new research questions. We are committed to translating knowledge into action to benefit patients and communities.
The Translational Research Vision
Translational research encompasses the full spectrum from basic discovery through clinical implementation and population health impact. We conceptualize translation as a bidirectional, iterative process:
- T0 Research - Basic biomedical research generating foundational knowledge
- T1 Translation - Moving discoveries from laboratory to human clinical trials
- T2 Translation - Establishing efficacy and effectiveness of interventions in clinical practice
- T3 Translation - Implementing evidence-based interventions in communities and health systems
- T4 Translation - Evaluating population health impact and informing policy
This comprehensive approach ensures that discoveries reach patients efficiently while clinical insights inform future research.
Translational Research Programs
Drug Discovery and Development
Our drug development pipeline spans target identification through clinical trials:
- Target Discovery and Validation - Identifying disease-relevant molecular targets using genomics, proteomics, and functional studies
- Hit-to-Lead Optimization - Screening compound libraries, optimizing drug-like properties, and medicinal chemistry
- Preclinical Development - Testing pharmacokinetics, toxicology, efficacy in animal models, and formulation
- IND-Enabling Studies - GMP manufacturing, regulatory preparation, and Investigational New Drug applications
- Clinical Trials - Phase I-III trials evaluating safety, dosing, efficacy, and comparative effectiveness
Recent drug development successes include novel targeted therapies for cancer, cardiovascular disease treatments, and antimicrobial agents now in clinical trials.
Biomarker Discovery and Validation
Identifying and validating biomarkers for disease diagnosis, prognosis, treatment selection, and monitoring:
- Multi-omics approaches (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics) for biomarker discovery
- Development of diagnostic assays and companion diagnostics
- Clinical validation studies establishing biomarker utility
- Integration of biomarkers into clinical decision-making
- Liquid biopsy development for non-invasive disease monitoring
Medical Device and Technology Development
Translating engineering innovations into clinical applications:
- Diagnostic devices and point-of-care testing platforms
- Implantable devices (cardiac devices, neural implants, drug delivery systems)
- Wearable sensors and remote monitoring technologies
- Surgical instruments and minimally invasive technologies
- Digital health tools and mobile health applications
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning for clinical decision support
Cell and Gene Therapy
Developing advanced cellular and genetic therapies:
- CAR-T cell therapy for cancer and autoimmune diseases
- Gene therapy vectors and delivery systems
- Genome editing approaches (CRISPR/Cas9, base editing, prime editing)
- Stem cell therapies for regenerative medicine
- Manufacturing and quality control for cell-based therapies
- Clinical trials evaluating safety and efficacy
Precision Medicine and Pharmacogenomics
Personalizing treatment based on individual patient characteristics:
- Genomic profiling to guide cancer therapy selection
- Pharmacogenomic testing for drug dosing and selection
- Integration of multi-omic data for treatment decisions
- Clinical implementation of precision medicine approaches
- Health equity in precision medicine
Imaging and Diagnostic Technologies
Advancing diagnostic imaging capabilities:
- Novel imaging probes and contrast agents
- Advanced MRI, PET, and CT imaging techniques
- Molecular imaging for early disease detection
- Image-guided therapies and interventions
- Artificial intelligence for image analysis and interpretation
Infrastructure and Resources
Pars Medicine provides comprehensive infrastructure supporting translational research:
Translational Research Centers
- Center for Drug Discovery and Development - High-throughput screening, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology
- Institute for Precision Medicine - Genomic medicine, bioinformatics, precision diagnostics
- Cell and Gene Therapy Center - GMP manufacturing, vector production, clinical cell therapy
- Biomarker Development Laboratory - Biomarker discovery, assay development, clinical validation
- Medical Device Innovation Center - Prototyping, testing, regulatory support for device development
Core Facilities
- GMP manufacturing facility for investigational products
- Biorepository with clinical specimens linked to outcomes data
- Phase I Clinical Research Unit for early-stage trials
- Genomics and proteomics cores
- Preclinical imaging facility
- Bioinformatics and computational biology resources
Regulatory and Administrative Support
- Office of Regulatory Affairs providing FDA/IND support
- Clinical Trials Office for study design and implementation
- Technology Transfer Office for patents, licensing, and commercialization
- IRB and IACUC for ethical oversight
- Quality assurance and regulatory compliance support
Partnerships and Collaboration
Successful translation requires diverse partnerships:
Academic Collaborations
Multi-institutional collaborations leveraging complementary expertise, sharing resources, and conducting multi-center trials.
Industry Partnerships
Collaborations with pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies for co-development, licensing, and clinical trials. Partnerships accelerate translation while supporting institutional research.
Clinical Practice Integration
Embedded translational research within clinical care settings, enabling rapid clinical testing and implementation while ensuring patient access to innovations.
Community Engagement
Partnership with patient advocacy groups, community organizations, and patients to ensure research addresses real-world needs and benefits diverse populations.
Recent Translational Achievements
- First-in-human trials of novel cancer immunotherapy developed in institutional laboratories
- FDA approval of diagnostic biomarker test for cardiovascular disease risk
- Implementation of pharmacogenomic testing into routine clinical care
- Development of wearable device for continuous glucose monitoring
- CAR-T cell therapy trials for refractory hematologic malignancies
- Gene therapy trials for inherited retinal diseases
- AI-based diagnostic tool for early detection of sepsis
Training and Education
We train the next generation of translational scientists through:
- Translational Science Training Programs - Interdisciplinary training in translational research methods
- KL2 Career Development Awards - Mentored career development for junior translational investigators
- Clinical Research Training - Programs for clinician-scientists conducting translational studies
- Regulatory Science Education - Training in FDA processes, GCP, and regulatory requirements
- Entrepreneurship Programs - Supporting commercialization and startup development
Funding and Support
Translational research programs are supported by:
- NIH Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA)
- Disease-focused foundations and advocacy organizations
- Industry-sponsored research agreements
- Institutional pilot grants and gap funding
- Venture capital and angel investment for startups
Impact Metrics
Our translational research enterprise generates measurable impact:
- 15-20 IND applications filed annually
- 50+ active early-phase clinical trials
- 100+ patents issued over past five years
- 25+ technology licenses executed
- Multiple FDA-approved therapies originating from institutional research
- Startup companies launched based on discoveries
For more information: Contact the Office of Translational Research at