Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is investing in pediatric research centers that serve to encourage collaboration and reduce duplicate work among researchers.
While many centers are now open, several more are in development and set to open in the future. A total of eleven research centers are currently available:
Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service
Every advancement in curing childhood cancer and blood disorders is the result of advanced research. The Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s conducts important research in the following areas: BMT, brain tumors, leukemia and lymphoma, solid tumors, cancer survivorship, hemophilia and thrombosis, sickle cell disease, gene therapy and transfusion medicine.
Center for Cardiovascular Biology
Heart defects are the leading cause of infant death by birth defect. The center’s cardiovascular biology research team is exploring new treatments, such as stem cell therapy, for children with these conditions. Researchers also are studying the genetics, development and imaging of different heart conditions.
Center for Clinical Outcomes Research and Public Health
Researchers At this center focus on identifying new methods to measure and improve healthcare outcomes, which are evaluated for:
- Differences —Across many health services and wellness programs
- Health services—Including clinical care and costs
- Wellness programs—Including prevention and health promotion
Center for Cystic Fibrosis Research
Cystic fibrosis is a complicated, multi-organ disease. Because it hampers the lungs’ ability to remove mucous, cystic fibrosis can cause severe infections and even death. Researchers at this center are working to develop new therapies, drugs and tools that can improve the lives of children with this condition.
Center for Developmental Lung Biology
Breathing disorders, such as asthma, are the No.1 reason that children need emergency care. Researchers at this center are working to strengthen and expand our understanding and treatment of these disorders, along with lung development and pediatric pulmonary diseases.
Center for Endothelial Biology
The endothelium is a single layer of cells that lines the blood vessels found inside every organ. The health of this layer can tell doctors about conditions like sickle cell disease or HIV/AIDS. Researchers at this center are studying how to use this layer of cells—the body’s own defenses—to treat and cure diseases.
Center for Immunology and Vaccines
Infectious diseases are the leading cause of death in the world. Researchers at this center are working closely with the Emory Vaccine Center and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to find new ways to stop the spread of common diseases. This includes developing new vaccine and treatment options for many infectious diseases, including respiratory syncytial virus, measles, malaria and more.
Center for Pediatric Healthcare Technology Innovation
While clinical research has brought about many improvements in healthcare for adults, the same is not true for children because of their changing growth and size. Researchers at this center are working to change this inequality by creating new technologies to diagnose, treat and cure childhood diseases.
Center for Pediatric Nanomedicine
This pediatric research center is the first one in the nation to be solely dedicated to the study and advancement of nanomedicine. Because it can be applied to many pediatric diseases and conditions, nanomedicine has the potential to profoundly improve—if not completely revolutionize—the treatment, care and ultimate cure of many childhood diseases and conditions.
Center for Transplant Immunology and Immune Therapeutics
When a child receives an organ transplant, his body may attack the new organ as foreign. In the same way, autoimmune diseases also cause the body to attack a part of itself as foreign. Researchers at this center are exploring new treatment options that can help children with transplanted organs or autoimmune diseases live longer, healthier lives.
Marcus Autism Center
The earlier autism is diagnosed in patients, the better their outcomes will be. Currently, the average age of diagnosis is 4.5 years old, despite the existence of tests that can diagnose children much earlier. Marcus Autism Center is one of the largest centers in the U.S. for autism treatment, and the clinicians there are dedicated to improving the early detection and intervention of autism. As an example, one study being conducted by Ami Klin, Ph.D., Director of the center, tests social engagement using special eye-tracking software, which has the potential to diagnose children as young as 6 months old.
Additional research centers under development:
Center for Clinical and Translational Research
This center will provide organization and leadership for clinical trials science, and act as a central point for recruiting clinical trialists in a variety of disciplines. The center will also serve as scientific home for leaders in nursing research.
Center for Drug Discovery
Researchers at this center will study and develop new drugs for a range of pediatric conditions, including infectious and neglected diseases, inflammatory conditions, cancers and blood disorders.
Center for Neurosciences
The purpose of this center will be to expand and advance the education, research and implementation of neurosciences. In particular, researchers at this center will study how the pediatric brain works and how diseases affect the pediatric nervous system.