1. Unit J Biomedical Technology
Biomedical Research
Unit J
Biomedical Technology

2. Basic Research Conducted to increase fundamental knowledge
Not directed toward solving any particular problem
Provides building blocks for other types of research

3. Applied Research Directed toward specific objectives Conducted with
Development of a new drug
New treatment
New surgical procedure
Conducted with
animals,
non-animal methods,
Computer models or
Tissue samples
and humans

4. Clinical Research Used after other forms of research have taken place
Used to test potential drugs and treatments in humans
Builds on what is done in basic and applies stages
Broad variety of activities and areas of study
Human clinical trials
Psychosocial & behavioral research
Disease control research

5. Biomedical Research Methods
Chemical mechanical mathematical and computer simulations
Strengths and limitations
In-vitro tests “in glass” takes place in an artificial environment
Non-human models

6. Biomedical Research Methods (cont)
Non-human models
Animals provide the best known surrogate for humans in the lab
Similarities between animals and humans outweigh differences
Strengths and limitations of animal models

7. Biomedical Research Methods (cont)
Human studies
Most often used in developing prescription drugs
3 major phases of clinical trials
After clinical trials
Strengths & limitations of clinical trials

8. Biomedical Research Methods (cont)
Epidemiological studies
Experimental epidemiology
Descriptive epidemiology
Observational epidemiology
Information gathering occurs after the fact
Do not demonstrate a direct cause and effect, but show a statistically significant association between exposure and disease