Murdoch Children's Research Institute - MCRI

27/10/2025

Children at the heart ❤️

News Corp's VWeekend magazine cover and four page inside coverage explored Dame Elizabeth Murdoch's legacy and MCRI's pioneering work in the science of stem cell and genomic medicine, public health and infectious diseases.

James Thornton, who was born with half a heart, was the cover story. The rare condition known as hypoplastic left heart syndrome is caused when the structures on the left side of the heart don’t develop properly. With no cure, his family said MCRI’s stem cell scientists were the family’s glimmer of hope.

Read more about MCRI’s research excellence in saving and transforming children's lives, and donate today 👉 https://www.mcri.edu.au/support/donate

Herald Sun

23/10/2025

Cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability of childhood. Research shows that three out of four children with cerebral palsy experience pain, and most of that is chronic pain.

Until recently, chronic pain has been under-identified, poorly assessed, and inadequately managed for children and young people with cerebral palsy.

MCRI’s Dr Adrienne Harvey and her team aim to partner with people with lived experience of cerebral palsy to co-create an innovative chronic pain intervention for children aged five-to-12 years. Your donations could help develop this program and improve the lives of children with cerebral palsy and their families. Visit our bio link to donate or learn more 💙

20/10/2025

MCRI has proudly become a member of the Victorian Aboriginal Health, Medical and Wellbeing Research Accord 🖤💛❤️

Led by Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc, this Accord is a powerful step toward ethical, culturally safe research practices that respect Indigenous cultures, knowledges, and aspirations.

“MCRI is honoured to walk alongside Community in this journey. Joining the Accord isn’t just a matter of policy – it’s a promise to listen, to learn, and to ensure our work lifts up Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.” – MCRI Director Professor Kathryn North AC.

Together, we’re building a future where research strengthens trust, respect, and outcomes for First Nations children and families. Read more 👇

MCRI joins the Victorian Aboriginal Health Research Accord, advancing ethical, culturally safe research. Read more.

13/10/2025

Calling all Aussie teens (13-16) and their parents 🤳

In December, Australia is set to roll out a world-first social media ban for under-16s and researchers want to hear from you. The Connected Minds Study, by MCRI and Deakin University, is tracking how this major change affects young people’s screen time, sleep, mental health and wellbeing.

Your involvement could help inform future policies that support young people’s wellbeing, like the regulation of digital content and media literacy for parents and adolescents.

Visit here for more info or contact connected-minds@mcri.edu.au 👉 https://direc.to/nH_T

MCRI and Deakin University launch teen study on Australia’s social media ban, tracking phone use and wellbeing impacts. Read more.

13/10/2025

The best start to life 🤝 🥹
 
Always a pleasure to have Victorian Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas visit us, touring our newborn bloodspot screening (NBS) lab and learning about Biotinidase deficiency, the latest condition that’s been added to Victoria’s NBS program.
 
A wonderful reminder of the real impact our work has on families like Jessica and her seven-month-old baby Elijah – who had their newborn screen when Elijah was born – giving every child the best start to life.
 

10/10/2025

The power of social media for good 💙

Meet Giselle. Her parents – Scarlett and Justin – were scrolling Facebook one day and saw an ad from MCRI for the BabyScreen+ study. Scarlett was pregnant with Giselle at the time and thought: “…this looks like something that would be good to do. Good to support science; everybody wins”.

They signed up to the study and went through the process, which involved genomic screening for 500 treatable, childhood-onset conditions, ultimately resulting in Giselle being diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder. It was devastating news, but they felt incredibly fortunate to be part of the study and to have seen the ad in the first place.

“[We] just happened to see this thing that quite possibly saved our daughter’s life.” 🤳

10/10/2025

How a genomic test unlocked a brighter future for Giselle 🧬

At just seven weeks old, Giselle was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition thanks to a simple heel prick test through the BabyScreen+ study. The diagnosis meant early treatment including a bone marrow transplant. Today, now 14 months, Giselle is thriving.

BabyScreen+ involves screening for over 500 treatable childhood-onset conditions, giving families a head start on care. A new study led by MCRI and Victorian Clinical Genetics Services (VCGS) found adding genomic sequencing to newborn blood screening would detect hundreds of additional childhood conditions, providing much earlier diagnosis and treatment.

Learn more about how genomic screening is giving children like Giselle a running start in life 👉 https://direc.to/nHPh

09/10/2025

Beauty and impact in every image 🤩

A wonderful evening at Science Gallery Melbourne for the reNEW 2025 competition. Congrats to MCRI’s Dr Declan Turner for winning first prize!

08/10/2025

Breastfeeding = immune boost for babies 💙

New research led by MCRI and the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute discovered more clues as to why breastfeeding until at least six months helps babies fight infections and reduce chronic inflammation, lowering the risk of many childhood conditions such as allergies, asthma, and diabetes.

The secret? Plasmalogens – a unique type of lipid found in breastmilk and generally absent in formula milk – are key to calming inflammation and supporting immune health.

With nearly 900 babies studied and about 800 metabolic markers explored, this research is a major step forward in understanding early-life nutrition 💡

Learn more 👇

MCRI study reveals how breastfeeding supports infant immunity and reduces inflammation through unique nutrients. Read more.

08/10/2025

It’s coming home 🏆

MCRI’s Dr Declan Turner has been crowned the winner of the reNEW 2025 competition, with his submission ‘A Deep Breath’ taking out the top prize!

“I’m really delighted to be the 2025 AXS Competition winner. Science creates knowledge, but it can also reveal something unexpectedly beautiful — a reminder that science inspires as much as it informs.”

Declan’s research aims to understand how our lung cells resist and respond to infections, with the ultimate goal of protecting everyone against seasonal and severe illness.

Congrats and well done to all submissions this year 🎨 x Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine – reNEW

06/10/2025

Cooper’s not just spinning tracks as a talented DJ. He’s turning passion into purpose 🎧
 
Using his platform, Cooper raises awareness about disability inclusion and was a proud ambassador for International Day of People with Disability in 2024. He’s now supporting research at MCRI, including a project to improve pain education for children with cerebral palsy.
 
Good on you, Cooper!