Value proposition

MCRI is dedicated to making discoveries to prevent and treat common and rare childhood conditions.

Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) is Australia's largest child health research institute and is ranked among the top three globally for research quality and impact.

Our team of 1,800+ researchers works across over 150 common and rare diseases and conditions affecting children and adolescents. From allergies and asthma, diabetes and mental health issues to cancer and rare genetic disorders, we are relentless in our pursuit to transform child health through research and give all children the opportunity to live a healthy and fulfilled life.

Our story began in 1986, when world-leading philanthropist Dame Elisabeth Murdoch and genetics pioneer Professor David Danks imagined a better future for our children and established the original Murdoch Institute for Research in Birth Defects. Since then, MCRI has grown from a genetics research institute to a global leader in child health.

Our work also goes beyond research. MCRI is one of the only research institutes in Australia to offer genetic testing via our subsidiary, the Victorian Clinic of Genetic Services (VCGS), to find answers for families of children with previously undiagnosed conditions.

Operating in a unique model with The Royal Children's Hospital and the University of Melbourne, MCRI is part of a great circle of healthcare and discovery – helping transform child health from the laboratories to clinics and out into communities.


Critical Care and Neurosciences, Cell biology, Development & Disease, Stem Cells, Global Health, Clinical Sciences, Genetics, Infection & Immunity, Population Health, Genomics, Personalised Medicine, Health Services Research, Pediatrics, Children's health, Medical research, Health research, Child Health, Research, Allergy Research, Rare Disease, Birth Defects , Undiagnosed, and healthcare