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07:48
Working with Human Tissues for Translational Cancer Research
Published on: November 26, 2015
Institutional shared resources and translational cancer research
1Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, IRCCS, I-33081 Aviano PN Aviano, Italy. dirscienti@cro.it
Journal of Translational Medicine
|July 1, 2009
Summary
Establishing robust shared resources (SRs) is crucial for academic centers to advance translational research. Effective governance, institutional policies, and collaborative culture are key to SR success in oncology and biomedical research.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Research
- Translational Research
- Oncology
Background:
- Shared resources (SRs) are vital infrastructures for academic centers engaged in translational research.
- These centralized facilities offer shared, multidisciplinary access to expensive instrumentation, complex computing, and specialized expertise.
- SRs are essential for maintaining and enhancing institutional scientific competitiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize institutional policies, organizational needs, characteristics, scientific aims, and future developments of SRs.
- To highlight the importance of SRs in developing effective translational research programs in oncology.
- To underscore that infrastructure alone is insufficient for successful research translation.
Main Methods:
- Review of institutional policies and governance structures for shared resources.
- Analysis of organizational needs and characteristics of successful SR programs.
- Examination of scientific aims and future development strategies for SRs.
Main Results:
- The success of SR programs hinges on appropriate institutional policies and effective governance.
- Nation-wide overviews of SR programs are available for NCI-designated Cancer Centers in the U.S., with individual data for European centers.
- SRs are a widespread model for sustaining cancer research.
Conclusions:
- Effective translational research requires more than physical infrastructure; it necessitates supportive policies and an academic culture that fosters collaboration.
- Educational programs for translational investigators and administrative support are essential.
- Efficient organization for clinical trial recruitment and management are critical for overcoming barriers in translational research.
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