Christina Gurnett, MD, PhD, a Faculty Scholar of the Children's Discovery Institute, and her research team have discovered abnormalities of human chromosome 17, which are believed to be the most common cause ever identified for inherited clubfoot. The team's findings will be published in the November 7, 2010 issue of the American Journal of Human Genetics.

Clubfoot—a congenital condition occurring in almost 1 in 1000 babies—causes misalignment of the bones and joints of the feet. It can lead to long-term pain or disability if untreated or improperly treated.

The discovery paves the way for increased use of genetic screening, which can help orthopedic surgeons provide better care to children with clubfoot.

Dr. Gurnett is Assistant Professor of Neurology, Pediatrics, and Orthopedic Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine. She received her Faculty Scholar Award from the Children's Discovery Institute in 2007. Dr. Gurnett collaborates with another Institute funded researcher, Matthew Dobbs, MD, Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine. Both of these physician-scientists care for patients at St. Louis Children's Hospital.

To read more about Dr. Gurnett's work, click here.