Principals of Biomedical Research
Guri Tzivion, PhD
tzivion@windsor.edu
Extension 506
PBMR 611: Winter 2016
Windsor University School of Medicine
Journal Club Instructors
Dr. Soumitra Chakravarty
Biochemistry
Group 1
Dr. Samuel Taiwo
Pre Med Program
Group 4
Dr. Vivek Joshi
Biochemistry
Group 2
Dr. Fatai Oluyadi
Pathophysiology
Group 5
Dr. Bikramajit Singh Saroya
Pathophysiology
Group 3
Dr. Kusai Salhanie
Pathophysiology
Group 6
PBMR 611 MDII: Principals of
Biomedical Research
Class 3
Introduction to Biomedical Research
3. Research formats: original research
versus topical/systemic literature review
Research formats:
1. Original research
2. Topical/systemic literature review
Original research:
Covers many disciplines such as:
1. Basic research
2. Applied research
3. Pre-clinical research
4. Clinical research:
Clinical trials
Epidemiological research
Disparities research
Basic Research
 Research conducted to increase
fundamental knowledge & understanding of
physical, chemical, and functional
mechanisms of life processes and diseases
 It poses specific challenges since it is not
necessarily directed toward solving any
particular problem
 Provides the building blocks for the other
types of research
Examples of basic research
in the study of AIDS
 Scientist asks basic questions regarding T-cell
function, for example, the function of CD4
molecules.
 Mechanisms for Virus-host interactions
 Mechanisms of virus replication
 MHC molecule variability and susceptibility
to infection
Examples of basic research
in the study of cancer
 Mechanisms of growth factor signaling
 DNA repair mechanisms
 Cell cycle regulation
 Immune surveillance and recognition of
self antigens
 Viral transmitted genes
Examples of basic research
in the study of metabolic disorders
 Mechanisms of insulin action
 Autoimmune disorders
 Intracellular signaling processes
 Inflammation and stress-activated
pathways
 Aging processes in invertebrates
Environmental and genetic factors affecting
longevity in the C.elegans model
DAF-16
Baumeister, J Endocrinol. 2006
Regulation of Sir2 during calorie
restriction in yeast
Resveratrol
Bordone and Guarente
Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2005
The diverse physiological roles of the sirtuins
Finkel et al. Nature 460, 2009
Applied Research
 Directed toward specific objectives, for
example, development of new drugs,
treatment modalities, or surgical procedures
 Can be conducted with animals or non-
animal models (computer modeling or tissue
cultures) or using human subjects (clinical
trials)
Preclinical Research
 Used to test specific hypotheses or
experimental treatment modalities on animal
or other study models before moving the
treatment to clinical trials in humans.
Clinical Research
 Used when other forms of research
have taken place
 Used to test potential drugs and
treatments in humans
 Builds on what is done in basic and
applied stages
Clinical Research
 Involves also research aimed at
identifying specific disease factors or
susceptibility in different populations,
racial differences etc.
Topical/systemic literature review:
Covers all the various disciplines we
discussed in basic research, but uses
hypothesis-driven literature search as
the main tool for conducting the
research.
Topical/systemic literature review aims
to:
1. Provide knowledge and new perspective to
help in better understanding the topic.
2. Provide a concise summary of the
published material related to a specific
research filed (educational objective)
Systemic literature review research flow chart:
1. Select a research topic and conduct an initial
literature review to get familiar with the topic
2. Develop a hypothesis you want to test
3. Conduct an unbiased literature search using
keywords that address the hypothesis
4. Generate a library of relevant papers identified in
the search
Systemic literature review research flow chart:
5. Critically review the relevant literature, focusing on
your initial hypothesis
6. Provide a concise summary of the literature,
addressing your working hypothesis
7. Critically discuss your findings: do they support
your hypothesis or negate it?
8. Make sure to properly cite the literature throughout
your text and provide a reference list