Establishing the evidence for type I interferon as a cause of TMA and using the results for improved patient care: a model for reciprocal translational research. The sequence of clinical and research investigations in the report by Kavanagh et al demonstrate the confirmation of clinical observations by a laboratory animal model and then further demonstrate the application of the research observations to clinical practice. This illustrates effective reciprocal translation, from bedside to bench and back again to the bedside. Professional illustration by Patrick Lane, ScEYEnce Studios.