1. Biomedical Research

2. What is Biomedical Research Biomedical research is the area of science devoted to the study of the processes of life; prevention and treatment of disease; and the genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors related to disease and health.

3. Scientific Method Science is a “continuous stream of ideas that are constantly being reshaped.” It is discovery-based and/or inquiry based. Involves critical thinking, encourages creativity and seeking solutions to problems

4. Observation Hypothesis Experiment Conclusion Science is a way of making predictions and making decisions for the future

5. Basic Biomedical Research Conducted to increase fundamental knowledge and understanding of life processes and diseases It is NOT directed toward solving any particular problem Provides the building blocks for other types of research

6. Applied Research Directed toward specific objectives such as developing new medications Involves the application of existing knowledge to a problem Can be conducted with animals, computer models and tissue cultures

7. Clinical Research Takes place after the other 2 Clinical research tests a particular medication or treatments in humans Takes place in a hospital or other health care facility May lead to the need for further research

8. Biomedical Research Methods Researchers use a combination of highly interdependent, state of the art methods to understand life processes.

9. Chemical, mechanical, mathematical and computer simulations Used to simulate living organisms Helpful in understanding complicated biological processes Helpful in the preliminary stages of research Provide ideas about new research directions

10. Limitations and Strengths Models increase the speed and efficiency with which data can be studied and processed. If the model is simple, it can be very accurate Reduces the number of animals needed for research

11. They cannot replace laboratory testing The reliability is a function of how well the organism being researched is defined Expensive Cannot replace living systems

12. In vitro tests Experiments performed in laboratory containers using tissues or cells. Literally means “in glass” Scientists use cell cultures, isolated tissues, in the early and intermediate phases of research

13. Strengths and Limitations Allow scientist to study a single effect in isolation without interference Less expensive, less time consuming and more accurate Able to control more readily Critical to the study of viruses

14. Toxic effects are complex therefore it cannot be duplicated Cells grown in culture are not exposed to other living organism processes Cells do not metabolize toxins in culture the same Difficult to maintain differentiated cells

15. Nonhuman Animal Models Animals provide the best surrogate for humans Results from animal studies can be applied to humans Animals provide a complex living system

16. Strengths and Limitations Ethical alternative to using humans Whole integrated biological system Animals share the same structures and function as humans

17. Animals are not identical to humans Research animals are expensive Animal research is regulated by extensive federal regulations

18. Human Clinical Trials Important component 3 major phases of clinical trials  Phase I-  Phase II  Phase III

19. Strengths and Limitations Actual human data on the efficacy and safety of new medications Ethical and moral limitations Requires extensive pre-clinical testing Numerous variables affect test data

20. Epidemiological Studies Epidemiology is the study of disease incidence and its distribution in a population To prevent disease, need to know what causes it Three general types of epidemiological studies

21. Strengths and Limitations Epidemiological studies offer direct opportunity to study diseases Identify patterns and distribution of disease Considerable human exposure can take place before a toxic effect is detected Difficult to demonstrate a cause and effect relationship Difficulty in determining the control group