Musculoskeletal and metabolic diseases are a leading cause of disability in children and are frequently associated with genetic abnormalities that alter their normal growth and development. Recent advances have led to the discoveries of some genetic defects involved in several musculoskeletal and metabolic diseases, including those that cause alterations in the skeleton (e.g. scoliosis, clubfoot), undergrowth syndromes (e.g. celiac disease) and overgrowth syndromes (e.g. Beckwith Weidman disease).
The Center for Musculoskeletal and Metabolic Diseases will accelerate research through, for example, the development of several strategies including international patient registries and DNA banks for selected pediatric musculoskeletal and metabolic diseases that will enable scientists to identify the genes responsible for these diseases and develop approaches to preventative measures within the next 
decade.
Additional work will be focused on the biology of tissue and organ growth, development and regeneration that can lead to novel approaches to regenerative medicine and progenitor cell therapy.
Currently Funded Research
Featured Articles:
Seeking New Culprits in Inflammatory Diseases - Anthony French, M.D., Ph.D.
Neuroprosthetic Solutions for Children with Musculoskeletal Disease - William Smart, Ph.D.
Become a Member of the CDI
All interested faculty members at Washington University are invited to join a CDI Center. As a member of a CDI Center, investigators attend quarterly discussion groups in which the Scientific Director updates the Center members on the CDI's progress and plans and a CDI-funded investigator presents his/her work. These meetings provide faculty with an opportunity to pose questions to the Scientific Director about the CDI and to engage in intellectual discussions about exciting and innovative science. To become a member, please send an email to cdi@kids.wustl.edu to request assignment to the Center most closely aligned with your research interests. Once assigned, you will receive emails about all upcoming Center meetings and events.
Center Members
| Louis J. Muglia, M.D., Ph.D. |
Alumni Endowed Professor of Pediatrics |
| John P. Atkinson, M.D. |
Grant Professor of Internal Medicine |
| Anne M. Bowcock, Ph.D. |
Professor of Genetics |
| Matthew B. Dobbs, M.D. |
Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery |
| Anthony R. French, M.D., Ph.D. |
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics |
| Matthew I. Goldsmith, M.D. |
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics |
| Christina A. Gurnett, M.D., Ph.D. |
Assistant Professor of Neurology |
| Keith A. Hruska, M.D. |
Professor of Pediatrics |
| Paul W. Hruz, M.D., Ph.D. |
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics |
| Sanjay Jain, M.D., Ph.D. |
Assistant Professor of Medicine |
| Fanxin Long, Ph.D. |
Assistant Professor of Medicine |
| Linda J. Sandell, Ph.D. |
Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery |
| Phillip I. Tarr, M.D. |
Melvin E. Carnahan Professor of Pediatrics |
| Dwight A. Towler, M.D., Ph.D. |
Professor of Medicine |
| Zsolt Urban, Ph.D. |
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics |
| Barbara B. Warner, M.D. |
Associate Professor of Pediatrics |
| Michael P. Whyte, M.D. |
Professor of Medicine |