Establishment of a Translational Science and Medicine Training Program in Japan

Abstract

Translational science comprises studies conducted to apply medical knowledge and innovative technologies developed in basic research in real-world settings for the prevention, diagnoses, and treatment of diseases. Translational medicine is challenging and requires input from individuals with multiple areas of expertise. Thus, programs designed to train young researchers who wish to work in drug development are needed. Here, we report the establishment of an intensive training program, called the Translational Science and Medicine Training Program (TSMTP), which provides training for young researchers in academia and pharmaceutical companies and staff members at industrial, academic, or governmental agencies throughout Japan. TSMTP disseminates information on the latest technology used by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH). Through this program, young researchers can receive an overview of drug development from instructors who are experts in each step of the process, allowing them to apply this knowledge for future research.