Basic Research
Basic research involves scientific exploration that can reveal fundamental mechanisms of biology, disease or behavior. Every stage of the translational research spectrum builds upon and informs basic research. NCATS scientists typically do not conduct basic research; however, insights gained from the Center’s studies along the translational spectrum can inform basic research.
Pre-Clinical Research
Pre-clinical research connects the basic science of disease with human medicine. During this stage, scientists develop model interventions to further understand the basis of a disease or disorder and find ways to treat it. Testing is carried out using cell or animal models of disease; samples of human or animal tissues; or computer-assisted simulations of drug, device or diagnostic interactions within living systems.
Clinical Research
Clinical research includes studies to better understand a disease in humans and relate this knowledge to findings in cell or animal models; testing and refinement of new technologies in people; testing of interventions for safety and effectiveness in those with or without disease; behavioral and observational studies; and outcomes and health services research. The goal of many clinical trials is to obtain data to support regulatory approval for an intervention.
Clinical Implementation
The clinical implementation stage of translation involves the adoption of interventions that have been demonstrated to be useful in a research environment into routine clinical care for the general population. This stage also includes implementation research to evaluate the results of clinical trials and to identify new clinical questions and gaps in care.
Public Health
In this stage of translation, researchers study health outcomes at the population level to determine the effects of diseases and efforts to prevent, diagnose and treat them. Findings help guide scientists working to assess the effects of current interventions and to develop new ones.
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Events

  • Dec
    9
    RCR Series Presentation - Mentorship
    Mon, 12/09/2019 - 16:00 to 17:00

    Join us for a festive discussion of how ethics and mentorship intersect in the research environment. Wear your ugliest holiday sweater for the chance to win a prize, and partake in the holiday snacks and refreshments!

  • Dec
    13
    Health Equity in Today's Immigration Climate
    Fri, 12/13/2019 - 12:00 to 13:15

    The 2019-2020 Health Equity Seminar Series kicks off with a discussion of Health Equity in Immigration with a Focus on the Latinx Population, led by Kathleen M. Rocke of the GW Milken Institue School of Public Health. Register here December 11. Lunch provided onsite. WebEx available for offsite attendance. 

  • Dec
    17
    Conway Chair Conversations
    Tue, 12/17/2019 - 12:30 to 13:30

    Join the Conway Chair Conversation the 3rd Tuesday of every month. A themed lunch will be served. WebEx available. CNE provided.

  • Jan
    21
    Conway Chair Conversation
    Tue, 01/21/2020 - 12:30 to 13:30

    Join the Conway Chair Conversation the 3rd Tuesday of every month. A themed lunch will be served. WebEx available. CNE provided.

  • Jan
    27
    Neuroscience Trainee-Sponsored Seminar Series
    Mon, 01/27/2020 - 13:00 to 14:00
    The Neuroscience Trainee-Sponsored Seminar Series hosts Katie Drerup, PhD of NICHD. 
  • Feb
    18
    Conway Chair Conversation
    Tue, 02/18/2020 - 12:30 to 13:30

    Join the Conway Chair Conversation the 3rd Tuesday of every month. A themed lunch will be served. WebEx available. CNE provided.

  • Feb
    24
    Neuroscience Trainee-Sponsored Seminar Series
    Mon, 02/24/2020 - 13:00 to 14:00
    The Neuroscience Trainee-Sponsored Seminar Series hosts Weizhe Hong, PhD of UCLA. 
  • Mar
    17
    Conway Chair Conversation
    Tue, 03/17/2020 - 12:30 to 13:30

    Join the Conway Chair Conversation the 3rd Tuesday of every month. A themed lunch will be served. WebEx available. CNE provided.

  • Mar
    30
    Neuroscience Trainee-Sponsored Seminar Series
    Mon, 03/30/2020 - 13:00 to 14:00
    The Neuroscience Trainee-Sponsored Seminar Series hosts Jeffrey Huang, PhD of Georgetown University. 
  • Apr
    21
    Conway Chair Conversation
    Tue, 04/21/2020 - 12:30 to 13:30

    Join the Conway Chair Conversation the 3rd Tuesday of every month. A themed lunch will be served. WebEx available. CNE provided.

  • Apr
    27
    Neuroscience Trainee-Sponsored Seminar Series
    Mon, 04/27/2020 - 13:00 to 14:00
    The Neuroscience Trainee-Sponsored Seminar Series hosts Adam Hantman, PhD of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. 
  • May
    18
    Neuroscience Trainee-Sponsored Seminar Series
    Mon, 05/18/2020 - 13:00 to 14:00
    The Neuroscience Trainee-Sponsored Seminar Series hosts Peter Basser, PhD of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. 
  • May
    19
    Conway Chair Conversation
    Tue, 05/19/2020 - 12:30 to 13:30

    Join the Conway Chair Conversation the 3rd Tuesday of every month. A themed lunch will be served. WebEx available. CNE provided.

More Events

News

  • **RESCHEDULED** Meet CTSI-CN: Your Research Support Center!
    November 12th, 2019

    This event has been rescheduled to December 2 at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Join us to learn about all the tools, services & resources that we offer to the researchers at Children's National and George Washington University. We're giving away Starbucks gifts cards & other goodies. 

     

  • New Funding Opportunities for Myasthenia Gravis
    October 10th, 2019
     
    The National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded a research team from George Washington, Yale, and Duke Universities $7.8 million to establish a rare disease network for Myasthenia Gravis.

    Part of this funding has been made available to support two RFAs: a Scholar Program targeting clinical fellows, post-doctoral fellows, and junior faculty, a Pilot Program for faculty members. Get full details here. 
  • CTSI-CN Pilot RFAs Released
    October 4th, 2019

     

    CTSI-CN announces the release of the 2020-2021 Pilot RFAs.  All high impact research relevant to health and well-being throughout the lifespan is eligible. Support is NOT limited to pediatric research. Letters of Intent are due November 15, 2019. Visit CTSI-CN Funding for details and to download the RFAs. 

  • Boot Camp for Children's National Fellows
    September 26th, 2019

    The FDA and CTSI-CN are cosponsoring a Boot Camp for Children's National fellows. Click here to learn more. Click here to express interest. 

  • Nuts & Bolts of Successful Writing
    September 12th, 2019

        

    Eiman Abdulrahman, MD and Susan Keller, MLS invite ALL faculty and staff to attend this new writing program following the book, Essentials of Writing Biomedical Research Papers. The group will meet every other Thursday at Children's National from 1-2 pm. WebEx available. Register here. 

  • Meet the CTSI-CN
    August 27th, 2019

     

    CTSI-CN is your Research Support Center! Learn about all of our tools, resources, and services on September 11 from 12-2 pm in the Research Atrium at Children's National. More details are available here. 

  • Follow us on Twitter!
    August 19th, 2019

    Did you know CTSI-CN is on Twitter? For learn more faster, follow us at twitter.com/CTSICN. 

  • Funding available for the Clinic and Laboratory Integration Program
    July 1st, 2019
    Letters of Intent are due November 1, 2019 for the Clinic and Laboratory Integration Program (CLIP), which provides $200,000 over two years for scientists with faculty appointments. 
  • 2019 Summer Student Lecture Series
    June 20th, 2019

    This didactic lecture series covers a variety of topics including statistics in medicine, robotics, molecular medicine, mobile health apps, innovation, and clinical competency in clinical trials. These sessions are open to all summer students in CRI, SZIPSI, and Volunteer Services. 2019 Summer Student Lecture Series (pdf) 

  • NHLBI Funding Announcement
    May 29th, 2019

    Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) from NHLBI on behavioral, biological, psychosocial and/or environmental factors in infancy & earlychildhood (0-24 months) that influence obesity development. Details are available here. 

  • Proposed Rulemaking to Improve the Interoperability of Health Information
    May 21st, 2019

    The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently proposed a new rule to support seamless and secure access, exchange, and use of electronic health information (EHI). Comments are due by 11:59 pm on June 3, 2019. More details are available here. Full details and related documents are here. 

  • Science Prize for Young Scientists 2019
    May 16th, 2019

    Have your PhD research published in Science magazine, win $30,000 in prize money, and travel to Sweden for the award ceremony. PhDs received in 2017 and 2018 are eligible. Apply by June 15, 2019. 

  • Women's Health In Focus
    May 8th, 2019


    Check out the latest issue of Women's Health in Focus here. The NIH Office of Research on Women's Health can be found here. 

  • National Math Festival 2019
    April 26th, 2019


    The 2019 National Math Festival has talks, performances, and activities for kids of all ages, even the grown-ups. It will be Saturday, May 4 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Get all the details here: nationalmathfestival.org

  • Unpaywall offers millions of free scholarly articles
    April 25th, 2019


    Unpaywall.org is an open database of more than 25 million scholarly articles harvested from over 50,000 publishers and repositories, making it easy to find, track, and use the information that you need. 

More News

Impact

How has the CTSI-CN supported your research?
Tell us about it here.  

Support Pediatric Research

Support care. Fund research. Improve lives. Children’s National takes on some of the most daunting medical research issues to improve children’s lives. Our experts develop therapies, find cures, and improve children's health in our community, across the nation, and around the world. Click here to learn more and offer your support for Pediatric Research at Children's National. Donations contribute to innovative research in a wide range of programs.