Research at Boston Children's Hospital
The research enterprise at Boston Children’s Hospital, comprising more than 3,000 researchers, is the world’s largest at a pediatric center. Our work is fueled by a deep understanding of disease biology coupled with world-class discovery platforms, including genetics and genomics, gene editing, bioinformatics, proteomics, bioengineering, image analysis, biobanks, disease-specific stem cell lines, and a range of animal models. We have special expertise in rare disease discovery, a robust Translational Research Program and large, diverse patient populations for clinical research and trials.
More than 3,000 researchers and scientific staff
1 million square feet of research space — and growing
3,400 articles/year in peer reviewed journals — the most of any pediatric hospital
Research opens a window into understanding deadly brain tumors
A deep dive on diffuse midline gliomas from our Brain Tumor Center adds to our understanding of how these deadly brain tumors develop — and could someday set the stage for new therapies.
How a leukemia hijacks the genes needed by blood stem cells
Why are some leukemias so resistant to chemotherapy? New research suggests that cancers can take advantage of the genetic mechanism for producing blood stem cells — making the prognosis worse.
Obesity is increasing people's risk of cancer. Why?
More than a dozen cancers have been linked to overweight or obesity, for unclear reasons. New work suggests that obesity causes dormant tumors to recruit new blood vessels, allowing them to grow.
An image worth 1,000 words?
The 2021 Science Media Exhibition solicited more than 40 science image submissions from research laboratories and programs throughout Boston Children’s Hospital. The images here were presented live during a virtual event held in June in conjunction with Dr. M. Judah Folkman Research Day.