Introduction to Basic Science

Emily L. Lowe, Ph.D.Microbiology, Immunology and

Molecular GeneticsUCLA

Outline

• What is “The Scientific Method”?• What is the difference between

basic scientific research and clinical research?

• What is translational research?• What are the key basic scientific

questions remaining for HIV researchers?

New Questions Arise

Results Interpreted

Data Collected

Question Identified

Hypotheses Formed

Research Plan

The Basic Scientific MethodIf…then…

Share Your Data

The Basic Scientific Method:Identifying the Problem

• First, and arguably the most important, step– Several sources• Theoretical basis• Professional practice• Personal experience• Shear curiosity

– Starts as a broad question that must be narrowed– Problem statement; experimental approach to the

problem; etc.

Question Identified

The Basic Scientific Method:Formulating a Hypothesis

Question Identified

Hypotheses Formed

If…then…

• Hypothesis:– A belief or prediction of the eventual outcome of

the research– A concrete, specific statement about the

relationships between phenomena– Must be falsifiable– 2 types of hypotheses:• Null hypothesis

– All is equal; no differences exist

• Alternative (research) hypothesis– Usually specific and opposite to the null

The Basic Scientific Method:Formulating a Hypothesis

If…then…

The goal of basic science is to challenge existing paradigms and dogma!!!

The Basic Scientific Method:Developing the Research Plan

Question Identified

Hypotheses Formed

Research Plan

If…then…

• A strategy must be developed for gathering and analyzing the information that is required to test the hypotheses or answer the research question– Four parts:• Selection of a relevant research methodology• Identification of cell types, samples or subjects • Description of the data-gathering procedures• Specification of the data analysis techniques

– Pilot studies must be determined in advance

The Basic Scientific Method:Developing the Research Plan

The Basic Scientific Method:Collecting and Analyzing the Data

Data Collected

Question Identified

Hypotheses Formed

Research Plan

If…then…

• Following all the pre-determined protocols– Time in the lab collecting data– Controlling the environment– Analyzing the composite data

The Basic Scientific Method:Collecting and Analyzing the Data

The Basic Scientific Method:Interpreting Results and Forming Conclusions

Results Interpreted

Data Collected

Question Identified

Hypotheses Formed

Research Plan

If…then…

New Questions Arise

• Does the evidence support or refute the original hypotheses?– Accept or reject the hypotheses– Conclusions should be drawn:• Develop new hypotheses to explain the results

• Data analysis is not the end!

The Basic Scientific Method:Interpreting Results and Forming

Conclusions

New Questions Arise

Results Interpreted

Data Collected

Question Identified

Hypotheses Formed

Research Plan

The Basic Scientific MethodIf…then…

Share Your Data

Clinical Research

• Research conducted on humans or human tissues that makes use of patient data.

• Includes study of disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, epidemiology, and clinical trials.

• Aimed at understanding human disease and improving human health.

• Interaction between researchers and patient data is a key feature.

Basic Scientific Research

• Fundamental theoretical or experimental investigative research to advance knowledge without a specifically envisaged or immediately practical application.

• It is the quest for new knowledge and the exploration of the unknown.

• Takes many years for the results of basic research to find some practical utility.

Basic and Clinical Research are Interdependent

Translation from basic science to human studies

Translation ofnew knowledge

into clinical practice

BasicResearch

Clinical Research

ImprovedHealth

Adapted from Sung et al. (2003) JAMA, 289, 1278-89. Copyright © (2003) American Medical Association. All Rights reserved.

Translational Research Differs from Basic Scientific Research

Basic Scientific• Motivation: curiosity

• Goal: new knowledge– No matter the result (proven or

disproven the hypothesis) new knowledge is obtained

Translational• Motivation: to improve human

health• Goal: better health

C. Simone Fishburn. Translational research: the changing landscape of drug discovery. Drug Discovery Today Volume 18, Issues 9–10 2013 487 – 494

Basic and Clinical Research Meet at Translational Research

Questions Still Remaining for Basic Scientific Research

• What are the molecular interactions involved in the regulation of HIV expression and replication in human immune cells?

• Why is the host immune response not fully effective in controlling the infection?

• How do reservoirs of infection persist in the body despite highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART)?