Contrary to the opinion of many, I believe that original observations—especially clinical observations—are important and should be reported, even when the mechanisms that will explain the observations remain unknown. If the observation is important, the mechanism(s) causing the observed phenomenon will be unraveled sooner or later. Experimental models that mimic

clinical syndromes or human diseases are extremely useful to the study and clarification of pathophysiological mechanisms and the exploration of therapeutic agents. In my view, translational research is a two-way highway that goes from the patient to the molecule and from the molecule back to the patient. Research can focus on any place along this highway but for the clinical

investigator click here it should always end up at the bedside. As a final recommendation, I urge young researchers to seek out, for training, the best possible principal investigator (or laboratory) worldwide. It is important to remember that the scientific community is global. The person or laboratory is what matters most, not the university or geographical location. I have enjoyed the immeasurable benefit of visits to laboratories in many parts of the world and collaborations with scientists from every continent. I cannot end this writing without acknowledging the contributions that my postdoctoral fellows had made to the story that I just told. In my writing, I was able to name only a few of them but equal recognition goes to all. I would also like to acknowledge the Veterans Administration, Yale University, selleck products and NIDDK for their support during my entire medical career in the United States. My gratitude goes to the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) and the American nearly Liver Foundation (ALF) for the 2002 AASLD “Distinguished Achievement Award and the 2006 ALF “Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award”. I would also like to thank my mentors and colleagues in Argentina, especially M. Rigoli and M. Royer for awakening my curiosity and interest for research.

A word of gratitude to the University of Buenos Aires for giving me the opportunity to study medicine during difficult times and for granting me the title of honorary professor in 2000. Also my thanks go to J.N. Cohn, H. Zimmerman, and H. Conn for their support and help in my early years in the United States, and to Asghar Rastegar and Dave Coleman for their trust and support during difficult times. Thanks to C.E. Atterbury, N. Grace, and Cyrus Kapadia for their friendship and support. J. Boyer, who was up to very recently the director of the Yale Liver Research Center, deserves my recognition and gratitude for his support during the last 25 years, and special recognition goes to G. Garcia-Tsao—a friend and colleague who played a fundamental role in several major areas of clinical research.