The field of translational science addresses scientific and operational challenges that hinder the advancement, efficiency, and impact of translational research. Translational science teams typically involve a broad range of disciplines and expertise, spanning multiple academic fields, individuals with lived experience, and a range of other stakeholders. Tools that enhance interdisciplinary communication and enable rapid exchange of information are vital.

Visual abstracts, introduced in 2016, are a succinct and effective means to convey complex research information, often resonating with wider audiences than traditional text-based abstracts or research summaries. They also facilitate dissemination of web-based content through outlets such as social media. Visual abstract layouts commonly include three panels, for instance to summarize the three foremost study findings or messages, or depict major study features, such as the study population, intervention, and main outcomes. Additional formats have been introduced as appropriate for particular study types.

We created a modified visual abstract template tailored for translational science projects, comprising three components: (1) Translational Science Challenge (the broad question that the project aims to address); (2) Exemplar project or case study (description and findings of the specific project addressing the broader translational science challenge); (3) Efficiency or generalizable knowledge (how the findings of the exemplar project are more broadly applicable to the field of translational science). To visually convey the “broad-narrow-broad” framework for translational science projects, we propose using an hourglass or bowtie image, for vertical or horizontal formats, respectively. Although our proposed template includes more text than traditional visual abstracts, it preserves clear structural and visual cues to present information concisely and in an easily digestible format. We will present visual abstract examples from translational science projects recently conducted at our institution.

With translational science being a relatively nascent field, there is a great need for tools to help cross-disciplinary teams conceptualize, plan, and report on projects in this realm. We assert that the Translational Science Visual Abstract template will not only facilitate broad dissemination of project-specific information, but will promote translational science community building through enhanced and timely exchange of information.