Table 3 Concise definitions for each of the phases along the translational research spectrum

T0

Basic biomedical research

Identification of opportunities and approaches to health problems

Includes: preclinical and animal studies; GWAS studies; studies of cells, proteins, and DNA; studies on humans or existing datasets that focus on understanding biological, social and behavioral mechanisms that underlie health or disease

T1

Translation to humans

Seeks to move fundamental discovery into health application; provide clinical insights

Includes: proof of concept studies; Phase 1 clinical trials; studies testing feasibility or safety of a new method of diagnosis, treatment, or prevention

T2

Translation to patients

Health application to implications for evidence-based practice guidelines

Includes: Phase 2/3 clinical trials; studies to test efficacy of interventions in highly controlled settings

T3

Translation to practice

Practice guidelines to health practices

Includes: Phase 4 clinical trials, comparative effectiveness research, community based participatory research, dissemination and implementation research, clinical outcomes research, health services research, meta-analyses/systematic reviews of interventions, development/implementation of guidelines

T4

Translation to communities

Health practice to population health impact, providing communities with the optimal intervention

Includes: population-level outcomes research; wider implementation and dissemination; policy impacts; disease prevention through lifestyle/behavior modifications; real-world health outcomes; true benefit to society