Biomedical research means to investigate and gain information and knowledge about the puzzles and problems of health and disease that are presently unsolved. Biomedical research seeks to find preventive measures, effective treatments and cures for diseases, injuries and other disorders. Its ultimate goals are to preserve and restore health. Biomedical investigations may be basic or clinical. Basic research has to do with how things work in the body and how living beings interact with their environments.
Clinical investigations evaluate likely treatments for illnesses and injuries.
In vivo research involves the use of animal models or human subjects. Our government has laws that spell out rules and regulations concerning medicine and medical research. Before new treatments are tried on humans, they must be tested and re-tested. Many potential remedies are first tested in vitro to discover how they react to cells or tissues. Toxicity is often screened using in vitro assays.