Our director of research, Farshid Guilak, Ph.D., and his team of doctors and scientists are devoted to researching new ways to treat complex pediatric medical conditions. This team is committed to finding treatments to help children live healthy, independent lives and reach their full potential.
The physicians who care for kids at Shriners Children's St. Louis are also professors with the Washington University School of Medicine's Department of Orthopedics. That means our physicians are helping develop the next generation of orthopedic surgeons while advancing their field through innovative research.
Physicians and researchers from Shriners Children’s St. Louis and Washington University work together to develop innovative treatments for a variety of pediatric conditions. such as spinal cord dysfunction and orthopedic disorders. Through this collaboration, we've also gained recognition as a leading U.S. orthopedic treatment facility, ranking in the top 10 nationally each of the past two years.
Join our mailing list to stay up to date on everything that's happening at Shriners Children's.
Our director of research, Farshid Guilak, Ph.D., joined The Research Center at Shriners Children's St. Louis as part of our long-standing collaboration with the Washington University School of Medicine. He is one of the world's most prominent and acclaimed research scientists. Dr. Guilak leads doctors and scientists as they work to find new ways to heal children with complex medical needs.
The areas of research that we're involved in currently include:
Dr. Guilak is also renowned for his research in the field of regenerative medicine which focuses on finding innovative, next-generation treatments for a painful joint condition called osteoarthritis.
Using cutting-edge technology Dr. Guilak's team is developing new approaches to treatment that may one day allow our patients to naturally regrow bone and cartilage. One of this team's most recent breakthroughs includes:
This work has the potential to find new ways to use the body's own cells to stop pain before it starts, eliminating the patient's need for pain medication.
Many of the studies being done by Dr. Guilak's team are regularly featured in some of the nation's leading medical and scientific journals.
The work being done at the Shriners Children's St. Louis Research Center is an integral part of the system-wide Shriners Children's research program, driving to find cures and treatments that allow us to provide amazing care to children everywhere.
Orthopedic conditions can cause mobility challenges that inhibit a child's ability to be active and independent. We understand how important physical activity is in your child's life, which is why our team of researchers is dedicated to developing innovative treatments for:
Shriners Children's St. Louis is ranked as one of the top facilities for pediatric orthopedics in the United States (ranking together with Washington University School of Medicine and Children's Hospital St. Louis). Our innovative research efforts play a large role in facilitating this recognition.
Our pediatric spine surgeons study various ways to improve spine care, which allows them to use the most advanced care techniques to treat your child. Their current research focuses on:
