Medical scientists conduct research to find causes of and treatments for disease.

Medical scientists conduct basic research to advance knowledge of living organisms. For example, they study things such as:

• Viruses
• Bacteria
• Cancer cells

Medical scientists form hypotheses and develop experiments to study the causes of diseases and other health problems. For example, a study might look at the effects of a drug on bacteria or put together a combination of drugs to slow a cancer's progress.

Medical scientists also study ways to make the human body better able to fight disease. Medical scientists plan their research design. They prepare samples according to the design of their study. Some studies analyze changes in cells that signal medical problems.

Scientists who work in applied research use knowledge provided by basic research to develop new drugs and treatments. Some researchers perform clinical drug trials with humans.

Scientists in the field of biotechnology work with genetic material to find ways to treat or prevent disease.

Medical scientists write reports or articles to present their findings. They also make presentations at conferences. They write grants to request funding to continue their research.

Medical scientists also study reports of research done by other scientists in their field. They consult with doctors, educators, and other researchers about their medical findings. Scientists may teach medical principles and lab procedures to staff who help collect data. They may also supervise the duties of clerical, computer, or lab staff.

Scientists who work for government agencies confer with health departments, doctors, and others. Their goal is to develop policies to improve public health. In some cases, they oversee public health programs.