Scientific research is traditionally divided into two categories: basic research and applied research. Basic research is needed to provide a better understanding of disease, but not directly translating that knowledge into useful clinical application. Translational research would be the advancement of science applied to the development of new diagnostic tests, drugs and or intervention techniques for patients with established understanding of disease development and progression. The main goal of translational research is to integrate advances in biotechnology, clinical trials, boosting the research bench to the bedside. The evolution of translational research in the area of ophthalmology are building a medicine of greater effectiveness in the prevention and treatment individualized form the basic ingredients of the desired personalized medicine. This paper describes the basic concepts of translational research and its application in ophthalmology.
Translational research; Stem cell; Gene therapy; Biomedical research