Our Approach to Research

Our efforts are divided into two main pillars: funding internal pilot programs and hosting Precision Genomics Midwest, a regional professional conference.

Pilot Grant Program

CpG connects researchers with the resources and people to move projects forward.

Each year, CpG gives up to $1 million to Cincinnati Children’s faculty to fund internal pilot projects that engage both clinical and bench researchers in advancing discovery and translation in genomics. These pilot projects help to develop genomic knowledge and infrastructure. They also accelerate the assembly of collaborative teams—bringing together basic scientists and clinical experts—who share wisdom to unravel complex genomic mysteries.

With grant funding and access to cutting-edge technology, trainees and faculty can pursue their research interests, analyzing DNA variations, examining gene expression and regulation, determining the impact of environmental-gene interactions and investigating genomic causes of disease.

The breadth of this collective work is vast—from the unbiased identification of spliceosome vulnerabilities across cancer, to RAC pathway inhibitors for the treatment of relapsed leukemia with activated mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), to genetic mechanisms downstream of pathogenic RASopathy variants in oligodendrocytes, and more. Through the success of these studies, CpG grant awardees have turned $10 million in internal funding into more than $31 million in extramural support.

Learn more about current and past projects and collaborations supported by CpG.

Precision Genomics Midwest Conference

Because knowledge is most valuable when it is shared, CpG promotes educational initiatives such as the annual Precision Genomics Midwest (PGM) conference.

Hosted by Cincinnati Children’s, PGM is the largest pediatric genetics and genomics research conference in the Midwest, bringing together approximately 500 attendees each year.

The purpose of the conference is five-fold:

• Bring in national leaders to keep CpG on the cutting-edge
• Highlight the work of our leading investigators
• Provide continuing education opportunities, including Continuing Medical Education (CME)
• Grow the genomics research community
• Encourage collaborations for future projects

Each year, an impressive slate of leading national researchers presents groundbreaking findings and lead hot topic discussions. Through this conference, we’re able to strengthen our collective understanding of the power and promise of genomics research, as well as advance our pursuits of genomic discoveries and their clinical implementation.