At the Telethon Kids Institute our researchers are searching for answers to improve the health and wellbeing of children and families affected by some of the most devastating, complex and common diseases and issues. At any one time we have more than 800 active research projects and 1400 staff and students that include laboratory scientists, clinicians, epidemiologists, bioinformaticians, statisticians, public health professionals and social scientists.
Our research is structured into Research Themes, programs of work and teams. We are committed to collaboration and work together with other research organisations, clinicians, practitioners, policy makers, consumers and the community to understand the complexity of factors that impact on a child's health and wellbeing and the translation of research findings into action. We actively reward research excellence and offer a range of schemes to support our researchers.
In August 2018, we moved to a purpose-built facility located within Perth Children’s Hospital on the QEII Medical Centre campus - the largest centre of excellence in healthcare, research and education in the southern hemisphere. With a footprint across seven floors, our new home features more than 7000sqm of work space and 2000sqm of laboratories (including specialty suites, equipment rooms and freezer farms), as well as dedicated clinical suites and a cryogenics facility. Our co-location with the Perth Children’s Hospital will enhance our collaboration with clinicians, nursing staff and other allied health professionals, leading to better care, better treatments and better health and development outcomes for our children and young people.
We are an independent medical research institute based in Perth, Western Australia and affiliated with the State's major universities. Our research is primarily funded through national and international competitive grants and generously supported by donors and governments.
Indigenous Guidelines Standards
Latest reports & findings
Impact of Missing Data on the Accuracy of Glucose Metrics from Continuous Glucose Monitoring Assessed Over a 2-Week Period
To explore the impact of missing data on the accuracy of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) metrics collected for a 2-week period in a clinical trial.
Diabetes (Type 1) Published research Diabetes and ObesityRisk factors for poorer respiratory outcomes in adolescents and young adults born preterm
The respiratory outcomes for adult survivors of preterm birth in the postsurfactant era are wide-ranging with prognostic factors, especially those encountered after the neonatal period, poorly understood.
Published research Children's Lung Health Subsite: Walyan Pre-term birthEarly childhood educator outcomes from online professional development for physical literacy: A randomised controlled trial
Early childhood is recognised as a critical window of opportunity for physical literacy development, however early childhood educators typically lack the training required to effectively provide appropriate physical literacy opportunities for children.
Published research Early Childhood Development Kids Rehab Research WA Psychology of Active, Healthy LivingMolecular basis of translation termination at noncanonical stop codons in human mitochondria
The genetic code that specifies the identity of amino acids incorporated into proteins during protein synthesis is almost universally conserved. Mitochondrial genomes feature deviations from the standard genetic code, including the reassignment of two arginine codons to stop codons.
Published research Mitochondrial ResearchResearch themes
Research theme leaders
Associate Professor Glenn Pearson
Director of First Nations Strategy and Leadership
BA (Education) PhD Candidate
Professor Ben Jackson
Research Theme Head, Brain and Behaviour
BSc (Hons) PhD
Liz Davis
Head, Chronic & Severe Diseases Research Focus Area; Clinical Lead, Diabetes and Obesity Research
MBBS FRACP PhD
Professor Jane Pillow
Head, Early Environment Research Focus Area; Team Lead, Neonatal Cardiorespiratory Health
BMedSci (Dist) MBBS, PhD (Dist) FRACP