How Do Laboratory Studies Complement Epidemiological Research?

Laboratory studies provide a detailed, mechanistic understanding that complements epidemiological research, which often relies on observational data. While epidemiological studies identify associations between exposures and health outcomes, laboratory studies can help establish causality by demonstrating biological plausibility. For instance, if an epidemiological study finds an association between a specific virus and a disease, laboratory studies can elucidate how the virus causes the disease at the molecular level.