"Translational research transforms scientific discoveries arising from laboratory, clinical, or population studies into clinical applications to reduce cancer incidence, morbidity, and mor-tality" Translational Research Working Group NCI. 1 The terms "translational research" or "bench-to-bedside" have become buzzwords in the last ten years and are used to refer to the process of transfer of knowledge from the basic sciences to its application in the clinical and community based setting. The "translation" of scientific discovery into clinical outcomes may seem like a fluid process but in reality is met with ma-jor stumbling blocks related to challenges faced in science, medicine and public health. Although this process has been a natural part of the advancement of medical and scientific knowledge, since their emergence, it has gained increased fo-cus in the last number of years for a variety of reasons. Major advances in scientific research have been made in many fields at an unprecedented pace in the last decade. One such exam-ple in the genomic field has been the human genome project and the subsequent deep sequencing data that continues to emerge from this. 2 This has resulted in a plethora of new data emerging in the life sciences with the knock on effect in the translational field being that high-throughput mechanisms are needed to bring benefits to patients in an effective and timely manner. This translation is, increasingly, being carried out by highly skilled individuals in the translational field who are ca-pable of bridging the gap between science and medicine. Many of those with an interest in these fields in recent years have opted to pursue this path in a coordinated manner through dual training with doctorate degree in medicine and science, often as a formal MD/PhD program. Since 2005, the National Institute of Health (NIH) in the Uni-ted States has focused on funding translational research with an increasing focus on the biomedical field and collaboration between clinicians and scientists. In 2006, they launched the Clinical and Translational Science Award program with the sta-ted goals of accelerating the process of translating laboratory discoveries into treatments for patients, to engage communi-ties in clinical research efforts, and to train a new generation of clinical and translational researchers. 3 This is however not a new concept, but recognition of an in-creasing and unmet need. Many of the major discoveries in cli-nical medicine that have benefited patients all over the world