Professor David Danks with support from Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, Sir Jack Brockhoff and others, established the original Murdoch Institute in 1986. It quickly became a world class centre of genetics research and clinical genetics services. Now, in 2009, Murdoch Childrens is Australia’s largest and most prestigious children’s health research. With over 1100 researchers, the Institute conducts vital research into myriad conditions affecting babies, children and adolescents, helping them lead happy, healthy lives. Our current research priorities include cancer, heart defects, genetic disorders, premature birth, obesity, diabetes, and allergies. The Murdoch Childrens Research Institute is proud of its close partnerships with the Royal Children's Hospital and the University of Melbourne.