The Fundamental Nature of Basic Science Research

Basic science is foundational, as the title of this issue conveys. Without understanding basic principles and mechanisms and applying rigorous methods, research becomes, at best, descriptive. In addition, many of the most transformative diagnostic and therapeutic advances stem from basic discoveries made years or decades earlier.

It is sometimes an arbitrary line. All too often, people differentiate basic science and clinical research based on technology. Basic science seeks to understand fundamental principles without regard for immediate application. It is a fallacy, however, to believe that basic scientists do not hope that advancing knowledge will lead to impact. Similarly, a clinical researcher may be asking basic questions in humans. Both must be driven by curiosity and by agnostic hypothesis testing.

Our investments in physician-scientist and scientist career development are paying dividends in terms of bringing the next generation of basic scientists and clinicians together. Similarly, several centers and programs bring basic scientists and clinical investigators together around specific pressing questions. Examples include the Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, the Human and Translational Immunology Program, the Center for Brain and Mind Health, and Women’s Health Research at Yale.

For physician-scientists, YSM provides support to help them achieve the right balance between their research time and clinical effort. For all scientists working along this spectrum, the school provides cutting-edge cores that provide access to both advanced technology and clinical research infrastructure, as well as courses to learn new methods.

Yes. All of our YSM medical students write a thesis to graduate, and many choose to immerse themselves in basic science during their research time. Our Office of Student Research facilitates connecting students with basic science laboratories or mentors. Similarly, graduate students interested in more clinical exposure may choose to work in the basic science laboratory of a physician-scientist. In addition, about 20% of our students complete an MD-PhD, which includes years of laboratory research.

It is our intellectual environment where excellence and collaboration come together. One can have the fanciest equipment and the most beautiful spaces—and we have both—but without that intellectual environment, you will not advance discovery.