Securing reliability and validity in biomedical research: an essential task

The buzzword 'translational' dominates concepts to optimize value creation from science. This article discusses the impact of 'old' and contemporary data on hypothesis generation in relation to human physiology and in the effort to optimally implement translational sciences. I outline how dogmas and errors, sometimes perpetuated over decades, impact contemporary research and drug discovery projects. As a consequence and to improve value creation from science, a reevaluation of old data (i.e. of the validity and reliability of research with regard to human physiology) seems necessary. In line with this, the compliance of newly generated hypotheses, assays and tools with a conceptual focus on human physiology as the gold standard seems essential. To achieve improved research success, several measures need to be initiated and guided by industrial and academic leaders in concert to have an impact on the quality of research in the very near future. There is no 'holy grail', but in general terms, a constructive but critical approach--not just to contemporary biomedical research--seems mandatory to avoid the errors of the past and enable solutions to evolve dynamically.