The Division currently maintains an active and visible basic science and clinical research enterprise focused on understanding cellular and molecular mechanisms of development and organ dysfunction in newborns. Research in the Division can be divided into several major systems areas, each of which utilizes cellular, molecular, epidemiologic, and clinical tools. All research programs interact with other investigators throughout the Department of Pediatrics and the Washington University School of Medicine to provide access to a rich array of multidisciplinary investigative resources. The Division receives approximately $2,000,000 in annual direct cost grant support through individual grants to faculty, program project, and training grant support. Research interests of our faculty include:
Brain development and injury:
Terrie Inder, MD
Amit Mathur, MD
Nancy Fahim, MD
Rakesh Rao, MD
- understanding newborn brain development and injury using advanced MRI techniques
- long term evaluation of treatment of sub-clinical seizures
- impact of early intervention in post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation (PVHD)
- evaluation of CSF biomarkers in PVHD
Genetic determinants of lung disease in newborns and children:
F. Sessions Cole, MD
Aaron Hamvas, MD
Jennifer Wambach, MD
- surfactant pathway genes that influence risk and severity of RDS
- in vivo measurement of surfactant metabolism using stable isotopes
- population and disease based frequency of genetic variation in surfactant genes
- role of genetics in airway inflammation
Mechanisms of growth:
Scott Saunders, MD, PhD (links to each and to lab page)
- the role of glypicans in central nervous system and cardiac development
Control of breathing in newborns:
Bradley Thach, MD
- developmental regulation of breathing during infancy
- role of dysfunctional autoresuscitation in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Necrotizing enterocolitis:
Barbara Warner, MD
Aaron Hamvas, MD
- the role of epidermal growth factor genetics and metabolism in the pathogenesis of NEC
- the development of the newborn microbiome and its contribution to NEC
The Division currently maintains an active and visible basic science and clinical research enterprise focused on understanding cellular and molecular mechanisms of development and organ dysfunction in newborns. Research in the Division can be divided into several major systems areas, each of which utilizes cellular, molecular, epidemiologic, and clinical tools. All research programs interact with other investigators throughout the Department of Pediatrics and the Washington University School of Medicine to provide access to a rich array of multidisciplinary investigative resources. The Division receives approximately $2,000,000 in annual direct cost grant support through individual grants to faculty, program project, and training grant support. Research interests of our faculty include:
Brain development and injury:
Terrie Inder, MD
Amit Mathur, MD
Nancy Fahim, MD
Rakesh Rao, MD
- understanding newborn brain development and injury using advanced MRI techniques
- long term evaluation of treatment of sub-clinical seizures
- impact of early intervention in post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation (PVHD)
- evaluation of CSF biomarkers in PVHD
Genetic determinants of lung disease in newborns and children:
F. Sessions Cole, MD
Aaron Hamvas, MD
Jennifer Wambach, MD
- surfactant pathway genes that influence risk and severity of RDS
- in vivo measurement of surfactant metabolism using stable isotopes
- population and disease based frequency of genetic variation in surfactant genes
- role of genetics in airway inflammation
Mechanisms of growth:
Scott Saunders, MD, PhD (links to each and to lab page)
- the role of glypicans in central nervous system and cardiac development
Control of breathing in newborns:
Bradley Thach, MD
- developmental regulation of breathing during infancy
- role of dysfunctional autoresuscitation in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Necrotizing enterocolitis:
Barbara Warner, MD
Aaron Hamvas, MD
- the role of epidermal growth factor genetics and metabolism in the pathogenesis of NEC
- the development of the newborn microbiome and its contribution to NEC