About Us

The mission of Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is to generate new knowledge and translate advancements in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases that affect children’s health through adolescence and adulthood. Our multidisciplinary teams are committed to making discoveries that will improve the lives of children and their families.

Manne Research Institute faculty members investigate a range of children’s health and diseases across the translational science spectrum. The research institute's studies are led by over 750 researchers and staff, and are organized into four scientific pillars: Basic and Preclinical Science; Clinical and Community Trials; Community, Population Health, and Outcomes; and Quantitative Science.

Researchers and staff include physicians, scientists, postdocs, coordinators, statisticians, data analysts, trainees, and others who share their expertise. Our pediatricians and scientists routinely collaborate with our academic partner, Northwestern University, and other medical centers and academic institutions across the globe, as well as with community partners such as schools and governments.

Manne Research Institute receives more than $104 million in external funding annually for research, 75 percent of that from the National Institutes of Health and other federal agencies. It is one of the nation’s premier institutes for pediatric research, investing more dollars and resources in pediatric research than any other area hospital.

In addition to clinical and population health research facilities, Manne Research Institute has approximately 125,000 square feet of state-ofthe-art wet-lab research space located in the Louis A. Simpson & Kimberly K. Querrey Biomedical Research Building on Northwestern University’s Chicago campus. The building includes wet-bench laboratories, animal facilities, and conference, educational, office, and collaborative space. It is adjacent to Northwestern University research resources and is located just one city block from Lurie Children’s.

Our Research Pillars

BASIC AND PRECLINICAL SCIENCE

Basic and preclinical science researchers at Manne Research Institute conduct laboratory experiments that investigate essential functions of biological processes and the fundamental mechanisms of diseases and disorders affecting children’s health. By closing gaps in scientific knowledge, basic and preclinical science researchers provide the foundation to develop next-generation technologies and treatments for pediatric patients.

The Basic and Preclinical Science pillar laboratory-based programs are organized into virtual scientific neighborhoods promoting collaborations between investigators, staff, and trainees. These neighborhoods include:

Developmental Biology
Engineered Solutions for Health
Fertility and Hormone Preservation and Restoration
Host–Microbial Interactions, Inflammation, and Immunity
Human Molecular Genetics and Physiology
Immune Deviation and Disease
Injury, Repair, and Regeneration
Molecular and Translational Cancer Biology
Neurobiology
Perinatal Origins of Disease

CLINICAL AND COMMUNITY TRIALS

Clinical and community trials researchers at Manne Research Institute translate the meaningful discoveries of basic science into promising clinical applications through evaluation of new diagnostic tests and drugs, behavioral treatments, and other interventions to determine their effects on pediatric health. Multidisciplinary teams of researchers collaborate to study complex childhood health issues in areas such as critical care, oncology, transplant medicine, and neonatology. Their research generates innovation in the diagnoses, treatment, and prevention of diseases and disorders in the pediatric population.

COMMUNITY, POPULATION HEALTH, AND OUTCOMES

Community, population health, and outcomes researchers at Manne Research Institute seek to improve health, health care delivery, and access to care for children and youth from a diverse range of backgrounds and environments. These research leaders advance our knowledge about the natural history, biological, psychological, social, behavioral, and environmental causes and influencers of common and prominent child health problems. Their research informs action for patients, families, communities, health system leaders, and policymakers. Much of their program evaluation work is conducted in partnership with community-based organizations as evidence is translated into clinical and public health interventions.

QUANTITATIVE SCIENCE

Quantitative science experts collaborate with researchers across Manne Research Institute to provide cutting-edge statistical and analytical support and computational techniques to maximize research impact and improve the health outcomes of pediatric patients. Their expertise in statistics, bioinformatics, database analytics, applied clinical informatics, and predictive analytics enables researchers to test hypotheses, answer research questions, and pursue understanding of behaviors across different populations.

Our Name

In recognition of a transformative gift from Mr. Stanley Manne, a retired local business executive and Chairman of the Manne Family Foundation, the institute was named Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute in May 2014.

The gift will provide funding to help sustain and further enhance medical research into the causes and cures of childhood disease at Lurie Children’s. When asked why he chose to make this gift to establish the Manne Research Institute, Mr. Manne said, “I have always wanted to give something back to individuals who wish to rise above their challenges. I chose Lurie Children’s for this gift because I have personally seen children grow healthy through successful treatment at the hospital. These children are now adults who are making a difference in society.” Mr. Manne was also impressed by the leadership at Lurie Children’s and their capability to deliver on the promise of the institution’s mission of patient care, research, education, and advocacy.

Our History

Established in 1984 and guided by founding director Bernard L. Mirkin, PhD, MD, the research institute became one of the nation's leading free-standing pediatric research entities attracting prominent and innovative scientists.

In 2007, under the leadership of Mary J.C. Hendrix, PhD, the research institute became a virtual center for all research conducted by Lurie Children's investigators – whether in the research facility, in the hospital, at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, or throughout the community.

Thomas P. Shanley, MD, joined the faculty in 2015 as Chair of the Department of Pediatrics, Founders' Board Centennial Professor, and Professor of Pediatrics at Feinberg School, and Chief Research Officer at Manne Research Institute. As Chief Research Officer, Shanley appointed several faculty members as Associate Chief Research Officers (ACROs) so that each will build programs based on the research strengths and aspirations of faculty conducting research at Lurie Children’s.

In 2019, Dr. Shanley became President & Chief Executive Officer of Lurie Children’s.

In 2019, Manne Research Institute moved to the Louis A. Simpson and Kimberly K. Querrey Biomedical Research Center, which is located blocks away from Lurie Children’s and on the campus of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

In 2020, Patrick C. Seed, MD, PhD, was named the President and Chief Research Officer at Manne Research Institute. Dr. Seed is also the Director of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine's Pediatrics Physician Scientist Training Program at Lurie Children’s. He is the Children’s Research Fund Chair in Basic Science and Professor of Pediatrics, Microbiology and Immunology at the Feinberg School.