Biomedical Research

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.

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

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.

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

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)

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

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?

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

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?

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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