IU, ANU join to translate science

The Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute and the Australian National University are joining forces to create a new translational sciences master’s degree program, study abroad opportunities for students and joint research programs that draw on the strengths of ANU and IU, according to a press release.

The degree will involve studying the medical research methods and implementation of research data in both the United States and Australia.

ANU is setting up a new Translational Medicine department at its John Curtin School of Medical Research, according to a press release.

“Indiana will have access to a broad base of research resources and a vast academic network in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Julio Licinio, director of the medical research school, in the release.

The Indiana CTSI is a statewide collaboration between IU, Purdue University and the University of Notre Dame, as well as public and private partnerships. The institute acted as the catalyst for the new program.

Students from both universities will have the chance to learn about each other’s research culture, health care models and research funding structure.

Indiana CTSI Director Dr. Anantha Shekhar defines translational research on his blog as “the process by which basic scientific discoveries are transformed through clinical application into new medical treatments and products to enhance the diagnosis, treatments and prevention of diseases.”

In November, Shekhar attended the First International Conference on Translational Medicine at ANU, where the collaboration was finalized. The new program will begin admitting students next fall.