Overview of the TRANSCEND Doctoral Network

The TRANSCEND doctoral network (DN) is designed to develop and evaluate a novel transdisciplinary approach to translational research on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and multiple sclerosis (MS). The network seeks to challenge traditional, reductionist methods of moving research from bench to bedside by exploring a new epistemology of translational medicine. This approach integrates philosophical assessments of biomedical research with the development and application of innovative research designs across basic, preclinical, and clinical studies.

Challenges in Traditional Translational Research

The focus on MS and ASD is motivated by three key reasons: (1) both conditions involve multifactorial causes and complex, system-wide implications; (2) their pathologies intersect with immunology, neurology, psychiatry, and psychology; and (3) despite extensive research, current efforts to translate basic research into successful clinical outcomes have been limited. Traditional reductionist methods have failed to significantly improve diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment, especially when considering personalized, patient-centered outcomes.

The term "translation" in biomedical research traditionally refers to the process of creating disease-relevant models and applying animal-based research to human trials. Over time, this concept has expanded to include the discovery and application of patient-relevant outcomes. However, challenges remain in translating research across species, from the laboratory to real-world settings, and from simplified models to the complexity of human health. These issues have led to ongoing debates about the limits of translation, particularly in cases where diseases have complex, multifactorial causes.

The core hypothesis of TRANSCEND is that traditional reductionist research methods have inherent limitations when studying complex, chronic conditions. For example, in MS, research has focused on isolating specific disease components, such as immune system dysfunction, brain lesions, or symptoms, but has failed to address the condition holistically. This has led to treatments that are either insufficient or involve multiple drugs with significant side effects. By embracing the complexity of these conditions and incorporating patient-relevant outcomes early in the research process, TRANSCEND aims to develop more effective translational strategies.

Three major barriers to successful translation are identified: (1) animal models fail to effectively translate to human conditions due to their oversimplified view of disease; (2) patient values and outcomes are often not prioritized early enough in research; and (3) personalized treatment models are lacking for multi-component chronic conditions. TRANSCEND seeks to overcome these barriers by embracing complexity rather than reducing it, creating a more integrative approach to understanding and treating conditions like MS and ASD.

TRANSCEND's Innovative Approach

The TRANSCEND DN aims to overcome these challenges by combining projects and educational activities across biomedical sciences, neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy. This interdisciplinary approach will prepare doctoral candidates (DCs) to lead future research that incorporates insights from the humanities and social sciences into biomedical studies. Through innovative secondments, transdisciplinary work packages, and collaboration with non-academic stakeholders in policy and industry, TRANSCEND offers a unique training environment for future leaders in translational research.

TRANSCEND brings together diverse expertise in laboratory, clinical, epidemiological, and philosophical research to address these challenges. The network equips doctoral candidates with a "biomedicophilosophical" mindset, combining critical thinking from the philosophy of science with cutting-edge biomedical research. This multidisciplinary training will prepare them to approach complex, chronic conditions from a network-based perspective, promoting more effective translational research in the future.

Vision and Impact

By integrating the humanities, sciences, and medicine, TRANSCEND aims to create a new generation of researchers capable of addressing the complexities of chronic conditions and contributing to the broader dialogue between healthcare, policy, and innovation. The network will also explore how these new approaches can be applied to other complex conditions, advancing the field of translational research beyond traditional reductionist models.