ABSTRACT
An attempt to define the term ‘translational’ compared it to deciphering a foreign language in that, ‘getting the word right is relatively easy but getting the meaning of the word is much more difficult’.1 The process of translating basic science research to improvements in clinical patient care has revolutionized the way medicine is practiced in the late 20th century and early 21st century. One example is in the area of renal transplantation. While the refinement of surgical technique has contributed to the overall success of the transplant, it is the monumental advances in immunobiology that have ultimately improved
long-term outcome of the allograft. These translational efforts have led to the development of immunosuppressive drugs capable of preventing allograft rejection in the patient. Just as this type of research has contributed to the success of renal transplantation, pediatric urologists and nephrologists are faced with the issue of finding ways to prevent certain anomalies in their patients which ultimately lead to renal failure and the need for transplantation.
