The role of the physician-scientist in bridging basic and clinical research in type 1 diabetes

In a relatively short time, advances in both basic science and clinical medicine have revolutionized the way we understand disease processes and suggested novel approaches that may be able to be used to treat or cure some of the most relevant human afflictions. In type 1 diabetes, one unintended consequence of this has been the polarization of the investigational groups (i.e., immunologists and endocrinologists) interested in developing novel therapies for this condition. This review will examine how and why such polarization exists, and why past and current approaches to develop critically needed translational investigators may be falling short.

Despite significant efforts to increase the number of individuals trained in both basic science and clinical medicine, the number of academic physician-scientists is on the decline. Increased demands from academic institutions coupled with severe difficulty in securing extramural funding are probably playing important roles in this concerning trend.

Type 1 diabetes will continue to be a significant strain on individuals, their families and society until a cure is found. More than ever, there is a critical need to support appropriately trained translational investigators who can best facilitate bringing the promise of basic research to clinical reality.