Bridging the Bed-Bench Gap

Since the 1970s there has been a serious gap between fundamental biological research and its clinical application. In response to this gap the Lucille P. Markey Charitable Trust instituted the General Organizational Grants program, which funded two types of awards to provide training that would bridge the bed-bench gap. These training awards fell into two categories: (1) those that provided significant opportunities for M.D.s to engage in basic research during and immediately following medical school and residency, and (2) those that provided significant clinical exposure for Ph.D.s while they were predoctoral or postdoctoral students. These grants were intended to close the widening gap between rapid advances in our understanding of the biological process and the translation of that knowledge into techniques for preventing diseases. This report examines the General Organizational Grant programs, identifies best practices, and provides observations for future philanthropic funders.Table of ContentsFront MatterExecutive SummaryIntroductionHistory of the Markey TrustGrant ProgramsAssessing the Markey General Organizational Grants ProgramThe Biomedical Research Environment in the 1980sClosing the Bed-Bench GapThe Current Biomedical Research EnvironmentConclusions and Observations for Philanthropic FundersReferencesAppendix A: Bridge Building Between Medicine and Basic ScienceAppendix B: The Endangered Physician-Scientist: Opportunities forRevialization EmergeAppendix C: Workshop on Training Programs in Patient-OrientedPathobiology for Basic Scientists: AgendaAppendix D: Workshop on Training Programs in Patient-OrientedPathobiology for Basic Scientists: ParticipantsAppendix E: Descriptions of Programs Participating in the Workshopon Training Programs in Patient-Oriented Pathobiology for BasicScientistsAppendix F: Summary of Site Visits to Markey-Funded Programs thatProvided Training in Basic Research to PhysiciansAppendix G: Biographies of Members of the Lucille P. MarkeyCharitable Trust Programs in Biomedical Sciences Committee