Definition of Translational Research Translational research is the process of applying ideas, insights, and discoveries generated through basic sientific inquiry to the treatment or prevention of human disease.   "Without mechanisms and infrastructure to accomplish this translation in a systematic and coherent way, the sum of the data and information produced by the basic science enterprise will not result in a tangible public benefit". Sung, et al., JAMA 2003:289, 1278-1287