Childhood cancers arise during development. When a particular genetic mutation occurs at a specific stage of development, the normal growth control mechanisms are bypassed. We build on our expertise in developmental biology to elucidate the cellular etiology of childhood solid tumors to discover answers to fundamental questions around the origins of cancer.

  • Why are some developing tissues more vulnerable to malignant transformation than others? 
  • How are childhood cancers different from adult cancers? 
  • Are the normal developmental pathways still active in tumor cells? 
  • Can we exploit those pathways to develop novel therapies? 
  • What can we learn about normal development by studying childhood cancer? 

We share all of our discoveries, expertise and resources with scientists around the world to advance cures for childhood solid tumors.


Research programs