Basic Science Research
Researchers use the Biomek and Ciphergen workstations to study blood samples from Kawasaki Disease patients. The highly calibrated machines automatically will prepare hundreds of samples and will use laser-activated mass spectroscopy to detect the abnormal presence of thousands of different proteins. rent proteins.
Research scientists in the Department and throughout the School of Medicine and University are working together to investigate causes of childhood illnesses. Using what they have learned, researchers are hard at work to develop innovative surgical techniques and novel therapies for treating and diagnosing a wide range of childhood illnesses including:
- Conducting basic science research into how cells develop and grow, protein micro arrays to measure the abundance of different proteins in a human cell, genomics -- the role genes play in the development of disease; and proteomics -- the role played by proteins, the building blocks of life.
- Learning the basic mechanisms of heart disease at a molecular and genetic level in children in order to develop better techniques to prevent heart disease and better treat children with heart disease.
- Understanding systemic onset juvenile arthritis using clinical and molecular studies.
- At the molecular level, researchers are looking at ways to reduce rejection and improve outcomes for pediatric transplant recipients.
- Using computer models, our researchers are also learning how to map blood flow through blood vessels. In the future, this can help them develop new devices to repair congenital heart lesions.
