IDDK Center at Boston Children’s/Harvard Medical School exploring genetic and cellular bases of developmental disorders with AI support
Official title: Boston Children's Hospital/HMS Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-11522444 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A center-funded program uses AI-enhanced methods to study genetic causes, cellular biology, and animal models of intellectual and developmental disabilities to speed new prevention and treatment ideas.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,187,800 |
| NIH project number | 3P50HD105351-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11522444 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families who may benefit from accelerated research translation and future therapeutic options.
✕Less likely to help
The grant focuses on center-building and foundational research; direct patient benefits may emerge over time as therapies are developed.
What this research studies
This grant supports a center that brings clinicians and researchers together to uncover genetic and non-genetic causes of developmental disabilities, study cellular mechanisms with advanced imaging, and translate findings into potential therapies using animal models. AI-enabled tools help analyze complex data and accelerate discovery across four integrated themes. The goal is faster, practical improvements in prevention and treatment for individuals with developmental disabilities. The program also emphasizes training, collaboration, and outreach to diverse communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the center could lead to earlier diagnoses and new treatment strategies for developmental disabilities.
How similar studies have gone: Prior centers and translational programs in IDD have shown progress when integrating genetics, imaging, and animal models with translational goals.
Where this research is happening
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Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sahin, Mustafa — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Sahin, Mustafa
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.