What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

Murdoch Children's Research Institute - MCRI

Home
Australia
Parkville, VIC
Murdoch Children's Research Institute - MCRI

Murdoch Children’s Research Institute is dedicated to making discoveries to prevent and treat common and rare childhood conditions.

Thank you for being part of the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) online community. We welcome your engagement and value respectful, constructive conversations. By interacting with our social media channels, you agree to follow these guidelines to help us maintain a safe and inclusive space for everyone. If you need medical advice, please consult a medical professional. Or, in the event of an emergency, call 000 or the emergency services where you are. Respectful Engagement
• We encourage open dialogue and welcome diverse perspectives. Please express your views respectfully and considerately
• Treat others with kindness and courtesy. Personal attacks, bullying, harassment, racism, hate speech, or discriminatory remarks will not be tolerated
• Comments that are rude, defamatory, fraudulent, misleading, or unlawful will be removed (including any comments that infringe on the intellectual property rights of others)
• Users who repeatedly violate our community standards (such as posting inappropriate, harmful, or misleading content) may be blocked from engaging further on our platforms
• Our moderation decisions are guided by our commitment to scientific integrity, respectful dialogue, and public safety

Content Responsibility
• You are solely responsible for the content you post, including your username and any personal information you share.
• MCRI is not responsible for, does not endorse, and disclaims all liability for any content posted by users on its social media platforms. The presence of such content, even if not removed, does not imply MCRI’s agreement or support. Comments and posts by third parties do not necessarily reflect the views of MCRI, its staff, or affiliates.
• We are committed to sharing evidence-based content grounded in scientific integrity. To maintain a respectful and trustworthy space, we reserve the right to remove comments that contain scientific misinformation or disinformation
• We understand that people may hold strong personal beliefs and values. However, our team determines what qualifies as misinformation based on current scientific consensus and global health expertise. While we welcome diverse perspectives, we will moderate comments that contradict these standards
• Do not impersonate MCRI, its employees, researchers, or stakeholders
• Posts and comments that misrepresent MCRI or its people may be removed at our discretion
• By engaging with MCRI’s social media channels, you agree that MCRI owns and may use, adapt, or share any ideas, concepts, techniques, words, or images you post for any purpose, without limitation or compensation.
• Any content submitted by MCRI or any of its personnel to MCRI’s social media channels is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment from a qualified health care professional.
• Any content submitted by MCRI or any of its personnel to MCRI’s social media channels reflects the inherent uncertainties associated with advanced scientific, medical and technical research. Language and Conduct
• Please use polite and appropriate language suitable for all audiences
• Comments containing any level of profanity will be automatically removed
• Trolling, spamming, or deliberately disrupting discussions is not permitted

Moderation and Replies
• We moderate our accounts to ensure a safe and respectful environment. Posts may be hidden or deleted at our discretion
• We respond to comments and messages during business hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am – 5 pm AEST, unless otherwise stated
• Replies are provided at our discretion and may not be issued for every comment

Advertising and External Links
• Unauthorised advertisements, promotions, or spam will be removed
• The appearance of external links or third-party comments does not imply endorsement by MCRI

Participation Guidelines
• By participating, you acknowledge and accept these guidelines
• You engage at your own risk and take personal responsibility for your interactions
• Please keep in mind that your interactions on our platforms are publicly visible. For your own privacy and safety, we encourage you to think carefully before sharing personal medical details or other sensitive information linked to your name
• We also recommend avoiding the disclosure of private information such as your location, financial details, or anything else you wouldn’t want widely accessible online. Your wellbeing and privacy matter to us, and we want to ensure this space remains safe and respectful for everyone
• Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn are operated by third parties and governed by their own terms and conditions. By using these platforms, you acknowledge and accept those terms. We appreciate your support and look forward to meaningful conversations that reflect our values of curiosity, courage and integrity.

***

Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) is Australia's largest child health research institute and is ranked among the top three globally for research quality and impact. Our team of 1,800+ researchers works across over 150 common and rare diseases and conditions affecting children and adolescents. From allergies and asthma, diabetes and mental health issues to cancer and rare genetic disorders, we are relentless in our pursuit to transform child health through research and give all children the opportunity to live a healthy and fulfilled life. Our story began in 1986, when world-leading philanthropist Dame Elisabeth Murdoch and genetics pioneer Professor David Danks imagined a better future for our children and established the original Murdoch Institute for Research in Birth Defects. Since then, MCRI has grown from a genetics research institute to a global leader in child health. Our work also goes beyond research. MCRI is one of the only research institutes in Australia to offer genetic testing via our subsidiary, the Victorian Clinic of Genetic Services (VCGS), to find answers for families of children with previously undiagnosed conditions. Operating in a unique model with The Royal Children's Hospital and the University of Melbourne, MCRI is part of a great circle of healthcare and discovery – helping transform child health from the laboratories to clinics and out into communities.

03/02/2026

Life-saving antibiotics exist. So why aren’t they accessible to children with severe infections? 👀

Two reviews discovered the barriers children are experiencing in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands when accessing treatment for the antimicrobial resistant (AMR) infections deemed the highest priority by the World Health Organization (WHO).

AMR is a growing public health problem, causing 1.27 million deaths globally every year, including 250,000 children under five years old.

The research found of the 12 antibiotics recommended for serious bloodstream infections caused by a harmful bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, only six were licensed in children aged under 12 and just three in babies. Standard antibiotic doses were also often too low for children under 12 years.

MCRI Associate Professor Amanda Gwee said more research was required to address significant equity and access gaps that prevent appropriate treatment for children.

Read more 👉 https://direc.to/oTS7

21/01/2026

Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) is deeply saddened by the passing of Dame Marie Bashir AC CVO, an extraordinary Australian and a cherished member of the MCRI community.

Dame Marie was an inaugural member of MCRI’s Council of Ambassadors, serving with dedication until 30 June 2018. From the Council’s earliest days, she brought wisdom, generosity of spirit and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children and families.

A tireless advocate for health, education and social justice, Dame Marie’s leadership was marked by compassion, integrity, and a profound belief in the power of research to create lasting change. As a distinguished psychiatrist and longest-serving Governor of New South Wales, her guidance and advocacy helped strengthen MCRI’s mission and extend its impact, both in Australia and internationally.

Dame Marie’s legacy in adolescent mental health, community engagement and reconciliation, together with her astute and respected leadership will continue to inspire our work and the values that underpin it. We are deeply grateful for her service, her counsel and her enduring support of children’s health and medical research.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and all who were privileged to know and work alongside her.

Vale Dame Marie Bashir. Read more 👉 https://direc.to/opAn

20/01/2026

Does your child snore? A simple saline nasal spray (salt water) is just as effective as a steroid one at helping many children breathe and sleep better, potentially avoiding the need for surgery and specialist care 😴

The MIST+ Trial, led by Professor Kirsten Perrett and Monash University Adjunct Clinical Professor Gillian Nixon published in JAMA Pediatrics today, showed symptoms resolved after 12 weeks of use in 50 per cent of the study cohort aged three to 12.

Obstructive sleep-disordered breathing affects up to 12 per cent of children and is the leading reason for tonsil and adenoid removal in Australia.

“With the guidance of your GP, families should consider saline for 12 weeks to help resolve common symptoms associated with obstructive sleep apnoea before turning to specialist care and surgery," Professor Perrett said.

The trial was collaboration between Monash Children’s Hospital’s Melbourne Children’s Sleep Centre Monash Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI), The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne and Monash University 👉 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2844085

07/01/2026

“I realised that doing good research wasn’t enough, that I really have to get interested in the impact that research had on the community."

Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) Professor Frank Oberklaid spoke to the Herald Sun about the forces that defined his career and galvanised him to focus on preventative medicine and the mental wellbeing of young people.

Professor Oberklaid's experience as a post-war migrant in Australia and career as a pioneering child health researcher and 'disruptor' have been highlighted in a Big V feature. The Herald Sun series highlights the lives and achievements of remarkable Victorians.

Professor Oberklaid pioneered the Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) initiative and thanks to government support, dedicated mental health and wellbeing leaders will be embedded this year into every government and low-fee non-government primary school in Victoria. The program has also expanded to other parts of Australia.

Read the full story, continued in the comments 🗞️ 👇

The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne

24/12/2025

Wrapping up 2025 with warm thanks to our incredible community 💙

From groundbreaking research to life-changing impact, your support has helped us strive to give all children the opportunity to live a healthy and fulfilled life.

Teamwork makes the dream work and it’s all thanks to our patients and families, donors, partners, collaborators and the dedicated staff across the Melbourne Children’s campus.

Together, we’ve made a real impact on child health worldwide. Wishing you a joyful, safe, and healthy holiday season ✨

23/12/2025

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Katrina (‘Katie’) Jane Allen – a leading paediatric allergist whose research reshaped the understanding, prevention and treatment of childhood food allergy and whose public service extended from the clinic, community and laboratory to the Australian Parliament.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce that our beloved Katie passed away peacefully … surrounded by her family,” a statement from her children said, describing her as a devoted mother, partner and doctor who faced illness with courage and optimism.

Professor Allen built her scientific career at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, where she became one of the world’s foremost experts in paediatric allergy, and the Institute’s first director of the Population Health theme.

As head of MCRI’s Population Allergy Research Group, she established the landmark HealthNuts study in 2007, the first population-based investigation to accurately measure food allergy in infants. Tracking more than 5,300 children, the study redefined allergy prevalence and risk, influencing clinical practice and infant feeding guidelines internationally.

Her leadership in a twice-funded NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence, the Centre for Food Allergy Research (CFAR), united clinicians, scientists and families to deliver a new understanding of allergy determinants and inform international guidelines on infant feeding and allergy management. CFAR is also recognised as a World Allergy Organization Centre of Excellence and was funded for a third iteration under Professor Kirsten Perrett’s leadership.

Allen entered Australian federal politics in 2019, serving as the Liberal member for Higgins until 2022, where she continued to advocate for evidence-based health policy.

She is survived by her husband, Malcolm, and their four children Monty, Jemima, Arabella and Archie. Katie will be sorely missed for her magnificent energy, self-deprecating wit and intelligence, honesty and above all, kindness.

Vale Professor Katie Allen. Read more 👉 https://direc.to/oiiS

21/12/2025

MCRI had the privilege of welcoming a remarkable group of young women to the Institute – close friends of Alexandra Thoms – who died in her sleep in August 2023 at just 23 years old due to undiagnosed Cardiomyopathy, a rare and often undetected genetic heart condition.

Cardiomyopathy is a leading cause of Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD), with seven young people aged one to 35 dying every week in Australia. Together with the support of friends and Alexandra’s family, Alexandra's Mission was founded to remember and honour an amazing young woman, as well as help prevent the incidence of SCD in young Australians and its devastating impact on their families.

During their visit, they toured our labs and met with Professor David Elliot, leader of the Heart Disease Group, to learn more about how our cardiomyopathy research is helping to uncover the causes of these devastating conditions, improving outcomes for others and how their generous support is directly contributing to these advances.

Their strength, generosity, and unwavering commitment to transforming loss into meaningful impact is truly inspiring. Should you like to support this important research, donate today via the link and reference ‘heart’ 👉 https://www.mcri.edu.au/support/donate

19/12/2025

Every discovery begins with belief 💭

John’s journey from daily seizures to a seizure-free life began with a bold idea – an AI tool that could detect what no human eye could see.

Your gift to the Discovery Fund helps our researchers take the same kind of bold leaps, turning early-stage ideas into life-changing discoveries.

Fuel the next discovery that changes a child’s life. Donate today 👉 https://www.mcri.edu.au/support/campaigns/ai-epilepsy-detector

12/12/2025

Australia's under 16s social media ban has officially begun.

Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) Professor Susan Sawyer spoke to ABC Radio National about how the move may protect against exposure to harmful content on some platforms but not others.

Professor Sawyer described the ban as a 'work in progress' and was hopeful parents and carers considered the reasoning behind the Federal Government's decision.

Listen from 02:05 👉 https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/saturdayextra/under-16-s-banned-from-social-media-/106102258

11/12/2025

When John was eight, his world turned upside down.

Daily seizures. Endless scans. No answers.

Until researchers at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute used an AI tool – developed right here in Melbourne – to find the hidden cause of his epilepsy. A lesion the size of a blueberry.

After surgery, John has been seizure-free ever since.

Fuel the next discovery that changes a child’s life. By giving to the Discovery Fund, you accelerate the science that leads to faster diagnoses, safer treatments, and brighter futures.

Donate today 👉 https://www.mcri.edu.au/support/campaigns/ai-epilepsy-detector

Address

50 Flemington Road
Parkville, VIC
3052

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+61383416200

Website

http://www.mcri.edu.au/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Murdoch Children's Research Institute - MCRI posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Murdoch Children's Research Institute - MCRI:

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Parkville?