What is Translational Medicine?

What is Translational Medicine?

Translational medicine often defines as “The process of the bidirectional transfer of knowledge between basic work (in the laboratory) with that of the clinic, in health or disease" or simply "from bench to bedside."

The program aims to decompartmentalize the traditional research training, where basic scientists are not generally trained to think of the clinical applications of their works, and clinicians are often not taught to formulate research studies based on clinical observations. To achieve this, the students will be mentored by both scientists and clinicians to provide the opportunity to focus on the translation of scientific discoveries into the application of diagnosis, prognosis prediction, therapies and cures of human diseases. The curriculum offers a broad exposure to clinical medicine in multidisciplinary fashion in order to fit best with the interest, background and requirement of each student, as well as a strong foundation of knowledge in research design, methodology, and skill in writing proposal for competitive research funding. In addition, medical-related emerging fields such as pharmacogenomics, personalized medicine, and bioengineering etc., are open for those students who are interested in such area.

 
Why at Ramathibodi?

Mahidol University (MU), one of the Asia’s leading public universities, has a strong emphasis in life science and healthcare through its top two medical schools, Siriraj and Ramathibodi. MU has been ranked in the top tier, both teaching and research, by several international rankings.

As one of the best medical schools and tertiary referral medical centers in Thailand, Faculty of Medicine at Ramathibodi Hospital offers unparalleled opportunity for translational research studies. Our investigators focus on integrated research that combines basic sciences and clinical medicine to optimize patient care and preventive measures from a wide range of disciplines including molecular, genetic and cellular underpinnings of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, immunological diseases, infectious diseases, kidney diseases and myriad other conditions. The Translational Medicine Program at Ramathibodi Research Center provides student experience with cutting edge technology lab including next generation sequencing, stem cell core facility, large scale biobank that maintain and support by our core facility staffs.

 
What to expect?

Effective integration of scientific information into an understanding of itsrelationship tohuman diseases.

Good knowledge of the current biomedical science and the potential to translate the knowledge to clinical medicine.

Proficiency in conducting scientific research using up-to-date methodologies and experimental designs to successfully test the hypotheses and reach correct conclusions.

Collaborative interactions with peers in laboratory and clinical settings.

Good oral communication of scientific information, grant writing and research presentation

 
Translational Medicine Philosophy
  • We should provide the cutting edge knowledge in Translational Medicine by integrating basic research knowledge into clinical application (knowledge, new skill)
  • We should provide high ethical standard in Translational Medicine research (ability)
  • We should encourage unified and independent learning ability (knowledge, ability)
  • We should encourage communication of research findings to the public and scientific community (ability)
  • We should encourage the implementation of Translational research in clinical setting (ability, new skill)
 
alt
Program Director (2022 - present)
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rossukon Kaewkhaw
Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University
 
alt
Program Director (2015 - 2022)
Prof. Duangrurdee Wattanasirichaigoon, MD
Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University
 
alt
Founding Program Director (2013 - 2015)
Prof. Pratak O-Prasertsawat, MD
Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University