PERSPECTIVE Mapping

the translational on cli th p of ha ig ro rsi ll equate science policy on translational science and: possible ways of improving the science policy process. particular obstacles such as a lack of access to well char-acterized biological materials in biobanks [5], or insuffi-Meslin et al. Clinical and Translational Medicine 2013, 2:14 http://www.clintransmed.com/content/2/1/14Awards (CTSA) program, the Food and Drug Adminis-2UMR 1027, Inserm, Université Toulouse III- Paul Sabatier, 31000 Toulouse, FranceVarious images are used to portray the bench-to-bedside valley: among the first was of a narrow chasm separating two rocky cliffs. But as translational science evolved so too cient training in translational science for the next generation of investigators [6]. The principal risks of fail-ing to translate this science are the perceived delays in providing diagnostics and clinical care to patients [7,8]. Overcoming these challenges was a key justification for developing translational platforms such as the Nationa