Pathology Research
The Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Cincinnati Children’s is a leader in pediatric research, combining state-of-the-art technologies, multidisciplinary expertise and innovative approaches to discover developmental and disease mechanisms to improve diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes for children worldwide.
Advanced Subspecialist Teams
The division has focus areas that strategically align with our expertise, innovations and resources in disease-focused teams. This structure enhances collaboration among our clinical, education and research domains, ensuring high-quality diagnostic interpretation and advancing pediatric care through discovery and innovation. Subspecialty areas include:
- Liver
- Pulmonary
- Neuropathology
- Hematopathology and Flow Cytometry
- Gastrointestinal
- Placental and Perinatal
- Autopsy
- Oncopathology
- Nephropathology
- Cardiac
- Cytopathology
- Digital
- Molecular Pathology
Innovative Research Initiatives
The division is at the forefront of cutting-edge research driving diagnostic and therapeutic advancements:
- Molecular and genomic pathology: We are developing advanced molecular and genetic tests using next-generation sequencing and droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to improve the precision and speed of pediatric cancer and genetic disease diagnoses. This work provides critical insights for managing conditions such as cancer and histiocytosis while prioritizing rapid results and exceptional data quality.
- Clinical mass spectrometry: Our team is using advanced analytical techniques to enhance the detection of mechanistic biomarkers and monitoring of pediatric diseases, enabling earlier diagnoses and better outcomes. We are developing pathway-driven assays by mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and lipidomics to understand metabolic networks in genetic and acquired pediatric diseases.
- Liver pathology: We are leading global efforts in defining new liver disease entities integrating molecular profiling. A consultation service managing 300–400 cases annually fuels groundbreaking research in this area.
- Digital pathology and artificial intelligence (AI): We are implementing a robust digital pathology platform to expand our clinical outreach via remote consultations and enable artificial intelligence applications in pathology discovery.
- Translational research: Our team is bridging laboratory discoveries to clinical practice by developing novel molecular tests for conditions such as eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders, histiocytosis and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.
- Foundational discovery research: We are defining the genetic and molecular underpinnings of development and disease to serve as novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers as well as therapeutic targets.
Team Science at Its Core
Collaboration drives our success. Pathologists lead and collaborate in National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded and other grant-supported research, working closely with clinical and investigative teams across Cincinnati Children’s and beyond. These multidisciplinary teams integrate cutting-edge research with patient care to create better diagnostic tools and treatments that improve outcomes for children around the world.
Educating the Next Generation
The Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine is dedicated to training future leaders in pediatric pathology and investigation. Through programs that combine cutting-edge technologies within our shared research core facilities with hands-on clinical experience, trainees work with renowned faculty in specialized areas of expertise. This rigorous training equips them to excel in academic, clinical and research settings, ensuring a strong future for the field of pediatric pathology and laboratory medicine.
