Research Programs

Over 140 investigators, 500 staff and numerous trainees contribute to the six programs in basic research and translational medicine and twelve centers of excellence. A primary goal of the research center is to facilitate the ability of its membership to perform research leading to the most advanced pediatric health care.

Cancer Biology and Epigenomics The scientific objectives of the Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program include the identification of molecular mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis, metastasis and development of drug resistance. The program is strengthened by its members’ multidisciplinary expertise in clinical, translational and basic cancer research.
Clinical and Translational Research The mission of the Clinical and Translational Research (CTR) Program is to accelerate the progression and prevalence of clinical and translational research at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and speed the delivery of new therapies and cures to our patients. The CTR Program provides support to ALL departments and divisions of Lurie Children’s and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Research Center, with the goal of developing a culture of research by fostering collaboration, training researchers, providing institutional support, expanding resources and coordinating services for both sponsored and investigator-initiated research.
Developmental Biology The Developmental Biology Program focuses on mechanisms of genetic fate specification in early human development. We examine pattern formation, the process by which cells organize to form structures that develop into a normal body; stem cell biology; and allocation and assortment of cells in organ development.
Human Molecular Genetics The Human Molecular Genetics Program is a center of translational genetic medicine, with innovative basic science aimed at generating new routes to therapy for inherited diseases. Our investigators study genetic diseases including Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Autism and Cystic Fibrosis; also the Stem Cell niche in the testis and signaling mechanism in Cancer. We play a leading role in the Northwestern University Genetics and Genomics community.
Mary Ann and J. Milburn Smith Child Health Research The scientific mission of the Mary Ann and J. Milburn Smith Child Health Research Program (CHR) is to address important clinical and public health problems of children, using state-of-the-art epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory methodology and interdisciplinary collaborations.
Neurobiology Scientists in the Neurobiology Program engage in research to define molecular processes critical to development, degeneration and regeneration of cells in the nervous system, with the aim of developing novel therapies for diseases and injuries of the human nervous system.