Chapter 40 - Approaches to Research in Molecular Medicine

Summary

The knowledge presented in this book is the result of meticulous, extensive, well thought out and often very costly research. Much of this research is based on the seminal works of early pioneers in the fields of biochemistry, genetics and statistics. The modern era of molecular medicine perhaps began with the deciphering of the code of life, the structure and function of the DNA molecule, and an understanding of how it codes for the proteins that make up cells and ultimately living organisms. What were considered beautifully simple mechanisms are now, however, being understood to be increasingly more complex. Biological systems are by nature extremely intricate and subject to fluctuating information inputs and functional outputs. Consider, for example, the expression of a specific gene. This gene may be switched on only during a specific developmental stage, and depending on the position of the cell in the developing organism and its exposure to a concentration gradient of a critical factor, its expression will be attenuated to ensure appropriate synthesis in that position in the body. To understand the detailed workings of living cells requires research.

Research is a process aimed at systematically gathering information that can be interpreted to gain knowledge related to a specific question or to support or refute a hypo thesis. A stepwise process, following ethical rules and regulations, has to be followed to obtain valid results and their interpretation has to be subjected to peer scrutiny (Table 1). There are variations on the theme depending on the nature of the research, which may range from basic research to clinically orientated research. The latter particularly needs to consider the rights and protection of the subjects involved with the research.

THE PROCESS OF RESEARCH

All research, irrespective of the size or complexity of the research project, needs to be preceded by an extensive literature review and a thorough understanding of the subject matter. It is not possible to formulate a relevant research question without in-depth know ledge of what is already known on the topic and an understanding of where key information is still lacking on a particular aspect of the molecular basis of disease.