Chapter 16 - Role of shared research facilities/core facilities in translational research

Abstract

In this time of economic constraints, one of the major challenges faced by researchers in the clinical and translational research area to deliver high-impact outcomes is the ever-increasing research costs. To bring breakthrough discoveries, researchers have increasingly relied on leading-edge technologies, expensive state-of-the-art equipment to not just acquire but also its operation by highly knowledgeable staff, its maintenance as well as the data analysis and providing expert consultation to best use such resources to address research questions. Shared research platforms or core facilities provide an effective resource management model where such research cost is shared. Effective resource management of these core facilities is critical to bringing the best research outcome. Here, we present an environmental scan of core facilities in North America focusing on the United States and Canada and outlining the efforts at various universities, research institutes, hospital research institutes, etc. to strengthen core facilities and promoting easier access to these advanced technologies and expertise. We will also highlight how such successful core platforms play a crucial role in advancing scientific discoveries and high-impact research in a tight economic environment.