Facilitating translational research

The AO Research Institute Davos Advisory Committee (ARI AC) provides operational and strategic scientific advice to the AO Research Institute Davos on behalf of the AO Foundation Board. Meeting twice a year, its five members act as both a sounding board and a sparring partner for ARI's research teams. The ARI AC currently consists of Brian Johnstone (Chairperson, OHSU, Portland, USA), Chris Evans (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA), Jürg Gasser (Basel, Switzerland), Gerjo van Osch (Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands), and Hamish Simpson (University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom).
On the occasion of their latest visit to the AO Center in Davos, Switzerland, the committee members reflected on how their collaboration, both amongst each other and with the research groups at ARI, had changed over the years and how researchers and the institute as a whole benefit from interacting with the committee.
"We act as gatekeepers for all of ARI's internal projects," explained Chairperson Brian Johnstone. "Typically, we learn about new projects before they even start and give our feedback, and then we get regular updates as a project progresses. We watch over all the stages and offer our expertise when, eg, they need extra money, or their project is not going as expected and they want to make some changes to it or even end it."

"We act as gatekeepers for all of ARI's internal projects. Typically, we learn about new projects before they even start and give our feedback, and then we get regular updates as a project progresses.”
Brian Johnstone
Johnstone, the longest serving member of the ARI AC, has witnessed its structure change. "It took a while to develop the committee's language and how we would interact." Chris Evans, who has also served on the committee for several years, confirmed that the process had become much smoother: "What has improved immensely is the structure of the presentations and talks. Initially, it was a bit of a hodgepodge, and we were given too much or insufficient information. There was often a lack of continuity of projects from one meeting to the next. Now, this all works smoothly. For each project, we get a few slides, just the key data, what the goal was and is, how much progress has been made, and what's left to do."
"And that's where we can enable, facilitate, advise," added Jürg Gasser. "If we see that they get stuck on something, we might be able to offer a different approach, an alternative, based on our experience."
Being able to benefit from the many years of experience and broad expertise shared between the committee members is a unique opportunity for ARI's researchers. Chris Evans pointed out that having three lab scientists, one orthopedic surgeon, and someone from the pharmaceutical industry on the ARI AC was a "really good mix," something Hamish Simpson was happy to chime in on: "We offer not only wide experience but also a huge network of expertise in the musculoskeletal community. Between us all, we know most people in it and can help accelerate dissemination."

"It's about more than just solid research. The main questions today are: Is the work you're doing really innovative? And what is its translational value?"
Gerjo van Osch
Another critical factor in the evolution of the committee's work is the evolution and transformation of ARI itself. "Over the past years, ARI has positioned itself as an internationally renowned prime research organization," said Jürg Gasser. Networking, the right connections, and visibility have become much more critical as ARI has evolved, as well as the translational and innovative aspects of ARI's research projects. "It's about more than just solid research," added Gerjo van Osch. "The main questions today are: Is the work you're doing really innovative? And what is its translational value?"
ARI Vice Director Martin Stoddart, who is present at all committee meetings as a permanent guest, highly values the regular interactions with the committee: "Everybody is here to make our projects better, and nobody wants to waste time and money. If we can find a problem, identify it quickly, and fail fast, that's a massive help for us. I know that everybody from our side appreciates the feedback. It's not an exam, it really is a sparring partner to bring everything forward."