Clinical and Translational Research

Human Subjects Protection (IRB)

All clinical research personnel who participate in research with human subjects must fulfill this training requirement.

Office of Research Administration (ORA)

supports investigators and administrators by managing externally sponsored research projects through the pre-award process.

Duke Office of Clinical Research (DOCR)

supports the research community with resources for study start-up through study close-out and educational opportunities for research staff

DukeQuEST

Principles for ensuring the quality and integrity of research destined for clinical application

School of Medicine Office of Compliance

provides expertise, consultation and assessment in matters of compliance

Conflict of Interest

dedicated to reviewing and managing research related personal and institutional conflicts of interest for the Schools of Medicine and Nursing.

Grants and Contracts

resources available to support externally sponsored research projects

Misconduct in Research

establishes how allegations or evidence of possible research misconduct will be addressed.

Occupational, Environmental, Radiation & Biological Safety

promotes a safe environment for the Duke Community

Stem Cell Research Oversight

for questions or assistance with stem cell research

Clinical research

The process of using research studies to answer specific health questions. This may involve observational research, which studies health issues in large groups of people in usual or community setting, or clinical trials, which seek to answer specific questions about drugs, devices, treatments, diet, physical activity, or other interventions to determine if they are safe and effective. Health services research studies are a subset of clinical research.

Translational research

The process of developing scientific discoveries into knowledge, programs and treatments that improve the health of individuals and their communities. In basic research, scientists study diseases in the laboratory at a molecular or cellular level.  

To improve health, findings from these basic research studies must be translated into practical applications. Translational research transforms scientific discoveries found in the laboratory into ways to prevent, diagnosis or treat disease.
Translational research also describes the process of moving knowledge obtained from clinical research into a wider community or practice setting.
 

The School of Medicine Supports Clinical and Translational Research

  • Institutional Review Board (IRB) - Biomedical reviews all research involving human subjects conducted by Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University Health System and Duke University School of Nursing.
  • Duke Office of Clinical Research (DOCR) provides key financial and administrative infrastructures, regulatory knowledge and support, and education and training for Duke-as-a-Site clinical research projects.
  • Duke Translational Medicine Institute (DTMI) established through a Clinical and Translational Service Award from the National Institutes of Health, focuses on the translation of scientific discoveries into clinical practice, with a goal to promoting measurable improvements in community health and making personalized medicine a reality.
  • Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI) is an academic clinical research organization, combining the clinical expertise and academic leadership of a premier teaching hospital with the full-service operational capabilities of a major contract research organization.
  • D.E.D.U.C.E. (Duke Enterprise Data Unified Content Explorer) – an on-line research tool providing Duke investigators with access to clinical information to facilitate exploration of aggregate clinical data.

Resources
These pages provide additional information about clinical trials at Duke: