Download Introduction to Basic Science

Introduction to Basic Science
Emily L. Lowe, Ph.D.
Microbiology, Immunology and
Molecular Genetics
UCLA
Outline
• What is “The Scientific Method”?
• What is the difference between
basic scientific research and clinical
research?
• What is translational research?
• What are the key basic scientific
questions remaining for HIV
researchers?
The Basic Scientific Method
If…then…
New Questions Arise
Question Identified
Results Interpreted
Hypotheses Formed
Share Your Data
Data Collected
Research Plan
The Basic Scientific Method:
Identifying the Problem
Question Identified
• First, and arguably the most important, step
– Several sources
•
•
•
•
Theoretical basis
Professional practice
Personal experience
Shear curiosity
– Starts as a broad question that must be narrowed
– Problem statement; experimental approach to the
problem; etc.
The Basic Scientific Method:
Formulating a Hypothesis
If…then…
Question Identified
Hypotheses Formed
The Basic Scientific Method:
Formulating a Hypothesis
If…then…
• Hypothesis:
– A belief or prediction of the eventual outcome of
the research
– A concrete, specific statement about the
relationships between phenomena
– Must be falsifiable
– 2 types of hypotheses:
• Null hypothesis
– All is equal; no differences exist
• Alternative (research) hypothesis
– Usually specific and opposite to the null
The goal of basic science is to challenge
existing paradigms and dogma!!!
The Basic Scientific Method:
Developing the Research Plan
If…then…
Question Identified
Hypotheses Formed
Research Plan
The Basic Scientific Method:
Developing the Research Plan
• A strategy must be developed for gathering
and analyzing the information that is required
to test the hypotheses or answer the research
question
– Four parts:
•
•
•
•
Selection of a relevant research methodology
Identification of cell types, samples or subjects
Description of the data-gathering procedures
Specification of the data analysis techniques
– Pilot studies must be determined in advance
The Basic Scientific Method:
Collecting and Analyzing the Data
If…then…
Question Identified
Hypotheses Formed
Data Collected
Research Plan
The Basic Scientific Method:
Collecting and Analyzing the Data
• Following all the pre-determined protocols
– Time in the lab collecting data
– Controlling the environment
– Analyzing the composite data
The Basic Scientific Method:
Interpreting Results and Forming Conclusions
If…then…
New Questions Arise
Question Identified
Results Interpreted
Hypotheses Formed
Data Collected
Research Plan
The Basic Scientific Method:
Interpreting Results and Forming
Conclusions
• Does the evidence support or refute the
original hypotheses?
– Accept or reject the hypotheses
– Conclusions should be drawn:
• Develop new hypotheses to explain the results
• Data analysis is not the end!
The Basic Scientific Method
If…then…
New Questions Arise
Question Identified
Results Interpreted
Hypotheses Formed
Share Your Data
Data Collected
Research Plan
Clinical Research
• Research conducted on humans
or human tissues that makes
use of patient data.
• Includes study of disease
mechanisms, therapeutic
interventions, epidemiology,
and clinical trials.
• Aimed at understanding human
disease and improving human
health.
• Interaction between researchers
and patient data is a key
feature.
Basic Scientific Research
• Fundamental theoretical or
experimental investigative
research to advance knowledge
without a specifically envisaged
or immediately practical
application.
• It is the quest for new knowledge
and the exploration of the
unknown.
• Takes many years for the results
of basic research to find some
practical utility.
Basic and Clinical Research are Interdependent
Basic
Research
Clinical
Research
Translation from
basic science to
human studies
Improved
Health
Translation of
new knowledge
into clinical practice
Adapted from Sung et al. (2003) JAMA, 289, 1278-89.
Copyright © (2003) American Medical Association. All Rights reserved.
Translational Research Differs from
Basic Scientific Research
Basic Scientific
• Motivation: curiosity
• Goal: new knowledge
– No matter the result (proven or
disproven the hypothesis) new
knowledge is obtained
Translational
• Motivation: to improve human
health
• Goal: better health
Basic and Clinical Research Meet at Translational
Research
C. Simone Fishburn. Translational research: the changing landscape of drug discovery. Drug Discovery Today
Volume 18, Issues 9–10 2013 487 – 494
Questions Still Remaining for Basic
Scientific Research
• What are the molecular interactions involved
in the regulation of HIV expression and
replication in human immune cells?
• Why is the host immune response not fully
effective in controlling the infection?
• How do reservoirs of infection persist in the
body despite highly active antiretroviral
treatment (HAART)?