The need to translate basic research in the field of human immunology may be much more urgent, and the rewards potentially much greater, than is often acknowledged. Yet a commonly perceived coercion to undertake translational research may be unhelpful. Instead, we propose clear incentives for integrating key skill sets, together with achievable cultural adjustments in research and medicine that span training, recruitment and promotion.
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Acknowledgements
A.C.H. cites support from the Wellcome Trust. The authors acknowledge that many of the ideas expressed herein have evolved from discussions at scientific meetings, at the Wellcome Trust strategy committee and at the British Society of Immunology. We trust that we are not guilty of failing to cite particular individuals' key contributions and apologize if this is the case.
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Hayday, A., Peakman, M. The habitual, diverse and surmountable obstacles to human immunology research. Nat Immunol 9, 575–580 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/ni0608-575
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ni0608-575
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