Humankind is on the threshold of discoveries that have the potential to profoundly affect the lives of all the world’s children. The sequence of the human genome, accomplished with considerable contribution from scientists at Washington University School of Medicine, provides for the very first time in our history the architectural plan of human growth and development. This fundamental knowledge offers the opportunity for profound advances in the prevention and treatment of structural birth defects, premature birth, diabetes, childhood cancer and a multitude of infectious diseases in children.
The mission of the Children’s Discovery Institute is to ensure that this potential for extraordinary improvement in child health is realized by enabling creative young scientists to explore new, imaginative and high-risk projects that will lead to discoveries translating directly into the prevention and cure of childhood disease. The Institute is established as a world-class center for pediatric research and innovation, accelerating the pace of discovery by leveraging our knowledge of recent advances in human genomic medicine.
The Children’s Discovery Institute was established in 2006 as a visionary partnership between St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Washington University involving faculty, students and professional staff throughout the University’s academic and medical community.
The Children’s Discovery Institute supports broad, interdisciplinary research initiatives within four specific Centers. Faculty involvement is diverse, reflecting the interdisciplinary and pioneering spirit of the Children’s Discovery Institute. This organization is intended to focus thinking and innovation through opened participation and exchange of ideas.