Shift in focus for public health

The country's first national-level translational medicine center will be established in Shanghai to promote health benefits for individuals and communities.

Translational medicine, also known as translational science, is a discipline within biomedical and public health research. It focuses on translating laboratory findings into diagnostic tools, medicines, procedures, policies and education to improve the health of individuals.

So far, the translational medicine research center has been listed into the country's high-tech industry development plan, and has already been approved by the National Development and Reform Commission. Construction work will start in 2014.

Covering an area of 60,000 square meters, the research center will have 300 beds for clinical research. Its research will focus on tumors, cardiovascular disease and metabolic diseases.

"Translational medicine in China is rapidly growing, though it started recently. The establishment of the new center will boost the development of translational medicine in the country," says Zhao Qiang, vice-president of Ruijin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine.

Currently, various translational medicine bases have been built across the country's universities and academic bodies. But the small-scale and scattered settlements means their progress has been slow.

The cultivation of professional talents are important for the development of translational medicine, according to Chen Hongzhuan, vice-president of Shanghai Jiao Tong University's medical school.

Chen says his medical school has already reformed the traditional talents cultivation system, and began to enroll graduate students in the field of translational medicine. The program allows students to have two tutors, one in the basic research field and another who focuses on the application. The second tutor may come from a hospital or pharmaceutical enterprise.

In early November, the eighth Sino-US Symposium on Medicine in the 21st Century was held in Shanghai, which was co-organized by Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Ruijin Hospital and Salk Institute for Biological Studies and Stanford School of Medicine.

Since 2000, this serial symposium has successfully taken place in Houston, San Francisco, Baltimore, San Diego and Shanghai. Worldwide researchers, clinicians and policymakers have contributed their insights in healthcare, public health and medical research.

With a theme of translational medicine this year, the symposium aimed to deliver upfront clinical, scientific and educational success in developing the hub of translational medicine. Medical experts and scholars from both home and abroad came together to discuss the latest research and development in the world.

"The endeavor of Chinese medical elites in the field of translational medicine is taking off. The discussion and exchange at this symposium will significantly facilitate the future collaborations among the participants," says Zhu Zhenggang, chairman of the symposium and president of Ruijin Hospital.