Research

WashU Medicine examines illness from every angle. From basic scientific discovery to translational research and clinical studies, our teams pursue bold questions to find better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat disease.

Spending more than $1.6 billion annually in research and training support, WashU Medicine fuels the research and science behind advances in personalized cancer medicine, neurodegenerative diseases, heart conditions, rare genetic diseases and more.

“The real power of WashU Medicine is having people with different perspectives and expertise working side by side. You can’t help but generate new ideas and new approaches to solving problems. That is where you get real scientific power.”

— Linda J. Richards, PhD
Edison Professor of Neuroscience
Head of the Department of Neuroscience

Why is WashU Medicine a global force in research?

We are built for breakthroughs. Our researchers have access to the latest technology, state-of-the-art facilities and work in a culture of cross-disciplinary collaboration — enabling them to pursue virtually any scientific question.

We have the scale and expertise to take on complex health challenges and move promising ideas forward with speed and precision.

That means when others say, “We don’t know,” we say, “Let’s find out.”

How does WashU Medicine translate research to patient care?

Our institution brings together the full spectrum of research shaping health and medicine today. A finding in the lab may point toward a new therapy. A discovery at the bedside may send scientists back to the lab. A clinical trial reveals whether an approach works, and if it can improve treatment for the next patient. Here, clinical observations spark investigations, cross-disciplinary teams share insights and bold thinking thrives.

Each promising idea moves through a connected research ecosystem:

Basic Research

This is the spark that turns bold questions into breakthroughs, uncovering how disease begins and where new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat it may take shape.

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Translational Research

WashU Medicine scientists build on “Aha!” moments, testing, refining and moving promising ideas from bench to bedside.

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Clinical Research

We conduct more than 2,500 clinical trials, giving eligible patients access to life-changing investigational therapies — and helping define new standards of care for disease prevention and treatment.

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Clinical Practice

Across nationally ranked academic hospitals and clinical settings, our physicians bring approved therapies into routine care, study their impact and help establish standards of care.

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Population Health Impact

Our work doesn’t stop when a treatment reaches a patient. Our researchers continue measuring long-term outcomes, using what they learn to improve lives in St. Louis and worldwide.

What research training opportunities are available at WashU Medicine?

Nationally, WashU Medicine is a leading medical school for medical training. Here, rising researchers learn alongside world-renowned faculty, bringing fresh perspectives to medicine’s greatest challenges.

In addition to research opportunities for medical students, many students choose WashU Medicine for the top-tier Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD) or one of twelve PhD programs in biology and biomedical sciences.

More research resources

Explore clinical trials

Find resources for researchers

View faculty research profiles

See the calendar of research seminars

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