Interview

Interview with Mônica Diuana Calasans Maia

»Specialist and MSc in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Traumatology by the Federal University of Rio de

Janeiro. » PhD in Pathology by Universidade Federal

Fluminense. » Full Professor of the Discipline of Minor Oral Surgery at Universidade Federal Fluminense. » Research scholar of the State of Rio de Janeiro

Research Support Foundation (FAPERJ). » Member of the Bioengineering network of the State of

Rio de Janeiro and NanoSaúde Network. » Coordinator of the Animal Studies Laboratory of the Histology sector of the Applied Biotechnology

Laboratory and Clinical Research Laboratory in

Dentistry at Universidade Federal Fluminense.

In this issue of JBCOMS, the Brazilian College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Traumatology interviews Prof. Dr. Mônica Diuana Calasans Maia, specialist and MSc in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Traumatology by the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), PhD in Pathology by Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), research fellow at FAPERJ, member of the Bioengineering network of the State of Rio de Janeiro and NanoSaúde Network. She is Full Professor at the School of Dentistry at UFF, professor and former coordinator of the Graduate Program in Dentistry at UFF, coordinator of the Animal Studies Laboratory of the Histology sector of the Applied Biotechnology Laboratory and Clinical Research Laboratory in Dentistry, all at UFF.

How to cite: Maia MDC, Ribeiro J. Interview with Mônica Diuana Calasans Maia. J Braz Coll Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2021 Jan-Apr;7(1):12-3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14436/2358-2782.7.1.012-013.ent

Submitted: March 08, 2021 - Revised and accepted: March 11, 2021

How do you consider the transfer of knowledge from basic research to its clinical application?

We have never heard so much about stages of clinical research, randomized studies, study subjects and placebo as we are experiencing in this pandemic moment.

The SARS CoV-2 pandemic has brought a path for the non-scientific population previously known only by researchers. This path begins with basic research for the development of new products by in vitro studies; then tests on animal models (in vivo studies); in the case of promising results, it evolves into controlled, randomized and double-blind clinical trials; and if it is confirmed to be effective and safe, this new product is registered by the local regulation agency – in Brazil, ANVISA – for later distribution and application in the health system.

The path herein described represents translation in research or Translational Research, defined as the transfer of knowledge from basic research to the improvement and creation of new methods for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, as well as the transfer of clinical problems, which create hypotheses, which can be tested and validated in basic research laboratories.

When did the concept of Translational Research appear?

When we search in research history, we find the important citation by Claude Bernard (1813-1878): "The experiment is nothing more than the provoked observation with the objective of rising an idea". He himself introduced the study of evidence-based experimental medicine with the cycle: a fact is observed > an idea arises > of the hypothesis, an experiment; and, from the experiment, new facts and new ideas. This cycle, or model, has undergone several conceptual changes and the circular model is the current model, where research (knowledge) generates technology (application), and vice versa. However, only about 30 years ago the concept of translational research appeared in all life sciences, first appearing in PubMed in 1993 to support the increase in the number of scientific discoveries for the benefit of patient and society.

The translation of basic research into clinical application has always been a priority in the scientific community. In Brazil and in the world, we can observe a great amount of basic research and few products reaching the shelves to be marketed and used in public and private health systems.

Was there investment in Translational Research in the past decade?

In 2011, the National Institute of Health (NIH) invested U$650 million in translational research, aiming to bridge the gap between biomedical researchers and patients who need their discoveries. In Brazil, this gap still exists and there are many obstacles in the search for a new product until its registration and marketing. Besides all stages of research, we face the patent's delay until marketing.

What is your opinion on the influence of SARS CoV2 pandemic on Translational Research?

The SARS CoV-2 pandemic has shown that the creation of strong translational research programs is the key to fighting any pandemic. Translational research uses cutting-edge laboratory techniques to study patient samples and applies laboratory findings to new therapies for patients. Across the medical spectrum, from cancer to the human immunodeficiency virus, translational research has been fundamental to achieve the ultimate goal, which is to design new tests diagnostic tests; understand the mechanisms underlying the disease processes; and establish, improve and advance therapies.

Despite the social tragedy in health and economy caused by the pandemic, I continue to believe that the technological development driven by the pandemic has accelerated changes and innovations that could take years to be implemented, besides valuing the importance of science and translational research for the health of mankind.

Interviewer: Prof. Dr. Jonathan Ribeiro

- Associate Editor-in-Chief of JBCOMS -

Journal of the Brazilian College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery