National Science and Technology Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM): advancing the field of translational medicine and mental health

special article National Science and Technology Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM): advancing the field of translational medicine and mental health Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Medicina Translacional (INCT-TM): abordagens metodológicas Jaime E. C. Hallak,1,2 José Alexandre S. Crippa,1,2 João Quevedo,1,3 Rafael Roesler,1,4,5 Nadja Schröder,1,6 Antonio Egidio Nardi,1,7 Flávio Kapczinski1,8 National Science and Technology Institute (INCT) for Translational Medicine Neurosciences and Behavior Department, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo (USP-RP), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil 3 Neurosciences Laboratory, Health Sciences Post-Graduation Program, Academic Unit of Health Sciences, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense (UNESC), Criciúma (SC), Brazil 4 Molecular Neurophasmachology Laboratory, Department of Pharmachology, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil 5 Laboratory for Research on Cancer, Experimental Research Center, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil 6 Laboratory of Biology and Development of Nervous System, Biosciences School, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil 7 Laboratory of Panic and Respiration, Institute of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil 8 Laboratory of Molecular Psichiatry, Research Center, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil 1 2 Abstract Objective: Translational medicine has been described as the integrated application of innovative pharmacology tools, biomarkers, clinical methods, clinical technologies and study designs to improve the understanding of medical disorders. In medicine, translational research offers an opportunity for applying the findings obtained from basic research to every-day clinical applications. The National Science and Technology Institute for Translational Medicine is comprised of six member institutions (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Universidade de São Paulo-Ribeirão Preto, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Universidade Estadual de Santa Catarina and a core facility that serves all centers). The objectives of the project are divided into four areas: Institutional, Research, Human Resources and Technology for the Community and Productive Sector. Method: In this manuscript, we describe some of the approaches used to attain the main objectives of the National Science and Technology Institute for Translational Medicine, which include the development of 1) animal models for bipolar disorder; 2) strategies to investigate neurobehavioral function and cognitive dysfunction associated with brain disorders; 3) experimental models of brain function and behavior, neuropsychiatric disorders, cell proliferation, and cancer; 4) Simulated Public Speaking and 5) Virtual reality simulation for inducing panic disorder and agoraphobia. Conclusion: The main focus of the National Science and Technology Institute for Translational Medicine is the development of more useful methods that allow for a better application of basic research-based knowledge to the medical field. Descriptors: Mental health; Biomedical research; Innovation; Biomarkers, pharmacological; Technological development Submitted: July 13, 2009 Accepted: August 30, 2009 Resumo Objetivo: Medicina translacional pode ser descrita como a aplicação integrada de ferramentas farmacológicas inovadoras, biomarcadores, métodos e tecnologias clínicas e delineamentos de pesquisa para aumentar o conhecimento a respeito das doenças. A pesquisa translacional oferece uma oportunidade para aplicar os achados de pesquisa básica na clínica cotidiana. O Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia – Medicina Translacional foi criado com seis centros (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Universidade de São PauloRibeirão Preto, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Universidade Estadual de Santa Catarina e uma core facility que serve a todos os centros). Os objetivos deste projeto são divididos em quatro dimensões: institucional, pesquisa, formação de recursos humanos e transferência de tecnologia para a comunidade e setor produtivo. Método: Neste artigo, são apresentadas algumas das estratégias utilizadas para atingir os objetivos do Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia – Medicina Translacional: 1) Desenvolvimento de modelos animais para o transtorno bipolar; 2) Estratégias de investigação neurocomportamental e disfunções cognitivas dos transtornos cerebrais; 3) Modelos experimentais de funcionamento cerebral e comportamento, proliferação celular e câncer; 4) Teste de Simulação de Falar em Público e 5) Realidade Virtual para indução de Pânico e Agorafobia. Conclusão: O Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia – Medicina Translacional possui como foco principal o desenvolvimento de metodologias mais úteis para aumentar a aplicabilidade dos conhecimentos da pesquisa básica em medicina. Descritores: Saúde mental; Pesquisa biomédica; Inovação; Biomarcadores farmacológicos; Desenvolvimento tecnológico Correspondence Jaime E. C. Hallak Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto – USP Av. dos Bandeirantes, 3900, 3º andar 14048-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil Tel.: (+55 16) 3602-2853 Fax: (+55 16) 3602-2703 E-mail: Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria • vol 32 • nº 1 •mar2010 • 83 Hallak JE et al. Introduction In medicine, translational research offers an opportunity for applying the findings obtained from basic research to every-day clinical applications. Given its importance and fast growth, in 2003, this field earned the right to have a journal of its own. The Journal of Translational Medicine is an open access journal that publishes articles focusing on human experimentation-derived information to optimize communication between basic and clinical science. According to Marincola,1 the purpose of translational research is to test new therapeutic strategies to be developed in humans through experimentation. Translational research should be regarded as a two-way road i.e., Bench to Bedside and Bedside to Bench. However, Bedside to Bench efforts have regrettably been rather limited, mainly because scientific aspects have been poorly understood by full time clinicians, and also because basic scientists have difficulty in appreciating how hard it is to deal with human beings. Translational medicine has been described as the integrated application of innovative pharmacology tools, biomarkers, clinical methods, clinical technologies and study designs to improve disease understanding, and confidence in human drug targets, and to increase confidence in drug candidates, understand the therapeutic index in (...truncated)