1. Biomedical Research

2. What is science? not just a bunch of static facts to learn.
constantly evolving
a continuous stream of ideas that are being reshaped, added to, subtracted from and built upon.
Science is just a way of make predictions. Predictions allow us to make decisions about our future.

3. How do you think like a scientist?
be curious
be skeptical
be flexible
be a critical thinker
ask questions

4. Scientific Method
Observation - carefully watching in an objective way; best if quantifiable.
Hypothesis – an educated guess explaining what you are observing; may require some study
Experiment – testing your hypothesis by designing and carrying out an experiment.

5. A good experiment includes:
Constants
Independent variables
Dependent variables
Experimental groups
Control groups
Sufficient sample size
Repeatable
Statistically significant

6. Scientific Method
Conclusion – a judgement made on the basis of your experiment as to whether the hypothesis can be supported or rejected.
Correlation – two things that tend to happen together
Cause-effect -one thing or event actually causes the other to happen
Results w/ Evidence and Explanation (REE)
Possible Errors (PE)
Practical Application (PA)

7. Basic Biomedical Research
Conducted to increase fundamental knowledge and understanding
It is not directed at solving any particular biomedical problem
Provides building blocks for other types of research

8. Basic Research Questions
How does HIV invade white blood cells?
What is the structure of the AIDS virus?
What link does diet have to colon cancer?
What causes gestational diabetes in pregnant women?
Do dogs have more bacteria in their mouth than humans?
What is my resting heartrate?
Does music improve my studying?

9. Applied Research
Directed toward specific objectives such as the development of a new drug, treatment or procedure
Can be conducted on animals, humans or non-animal models

10. Applied Research Questions
Can you diagnose AIDS with a urine test?
How do cancer cells respond to herbal treatment?
What affect does drug X have on weight loss in dogs?
How does insulin interact with pancreas cells?
How can we block the HIV from attaching to cells?
Does gene therapy affect normal protein production?
What component in dog saliva could be used as an antibiotic?

11. Clinical Research
Tests the effect on a developed drug, treatment or procedure on humans
Done at a hospital or clinical health care setting
Includes clinical trials, psychological & behavioral research, and disease-control research

12. Clinical Research Questions
How does Levitra affect male erectile dysfunction?
Which diet program has the longest lasting affect on weigh loss?
Do cooler operating room temperatures improve surgical recovery?
What proportion of smokers have heart attacks?
Which AIDS drug gives patients the longest life span?
Do daily doses of Ibuprofen reduce the occurrences of migraine headaches?

13. Computer Modeling
Use computers to take data and create a model of how something would work
Weather reports, accident predictions, drug interactions
Reduces the expense of materials, screens for possibilities
Is limited to the data already collected; not an experiment

14. In Vitro Studies
In glass; doing experiments in isolation in test tubes or cell cultures
Cell cytotoxicity (death) from a drug, drug absorption
Isolates variable
Does not identify systems affect

15. Non-Human, Animal Studies
Testing on animals
Drug, diet, or treatment affects on animals
Addresses physiology and system interdependence
Shows how different systems are affected by drug; better for animal to be harmed than for a human to be harmed
Animals are still not humans

16. Human, Clinical Studies
Using human to test for safety, and efficacy of the drug
Clinical Trials
Phases I – small group, healthy (safety)
Phase II – small group, iIl (efficacy, safety)
Phase III – large group, ill (adverse affect, dosage)
Phase IV – largest group, after market (adverse affects)
Promotes safe and effective drug
Takes too long

17. Epidemiological Monitoring communities for the occurrence of disease
AIDS (who, when, how)
Informs decisions, research, treatment
Too much, too fast

18. Benefits of Biomedical Research
Contributions to human health
1. Treatment for heart disease heart-lung machine
2. Treatment for cancer
3. Treatment for diabetes
4. Bone marrow transplants
5. Early vaccines
6. Polio vaccine
7. Chicken pox (Varicella)
8. Hepatitis
9. Fluoride – many countries add to water to decrease tooth decay
10. Penicillin and other antibiotics

19. Benefits of Biomedical Research
Contributions to human health
11. Cyclosporine and anti-rejection drugs
12. Monoclonal antibodies
13. Pacemakers, artificial devices
14. Angioplasty
15. Organ transplant – heart, kidney, liver, cornea
16. AIDS
17. Regenerative Medicine

20. Benefits of Biomedical Research
Contributions to animal health
1. Artificial joints, orthopedic surgery, rehab
2. Cancer, leukemia, and chemotherapy research
3. Embryo transfer techniques to improve breeding
4. Genetic research for inherited diseases in
pedigreed animals
5. Nutritional research for pet food
6. Tooth and gum disease research
7. Treatment for parasites
8. Vaccines for livestock, poultry, and pet diseases
9. Antibiotics
10. Anesthesia