Urology Research

The Division of Pediatric Urology at UT Southwestern and Children’s Health℠ has ranked among the top pediatric urology programs in the U.S. It is known for its basic and clinical research, innovation in surgery and for training the next generation of academic pediatric urologists. The Division is  directed by Craig Peters, M.D., and includes five urologists, as well as three nurse practitioners. The Division provides all levels of pediatric urology services throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex.

Programs include a Comprehensive Stone Clinic, Spina Bifida/Spinal Cord Injury Program, Voiding Dysfunction Program, Genital Reconstruction Program and an Advanced Robotic Surgery Program. The surgeons leading the latter two programs have both pioneered novel surgical techniques and have international reputations in their field. The research program is a truly bed-to-bench-to-bedside endeavor with multiple active IRB-approved studies.

Basic Science Research

A fully funded basic science laboratory studies the genetics of complex genitourinary anomalies that are being cared for by the same surgeons engaged in these studies. The Children’s Health Urology department includes the John Duckett Pediatric Urology Laboratory, directed by Linda Baker, M.D. Recently awarded another NIH grant, our endowed research laboratory focuses on human subjects, genetic studies and genetically engineered mutant mouse models of pediatric urologic birth defects and disease. The lab is involved in multiple collaborative efforts within the UT Southwestern system, home to more Nobel Laureates than any other U.S. institution. Cutting–edge genomic research is performed, employing comparative genomic hybridization, SNP microarrays, whole exome sequencing and other technologies to identify genetic causes of pediatric urologic disorders.

Clinical Research 

Numerous clinical studies have been and continue to be conducted on long-term clinical outcomes of various congenital conditions and surgical procedures, as well as working to improve care for children through enhanced diagnostics and clinical pathways. Over 30 IRB-approved study protocols are underway, covering essentially every topic in pediatric urology via prospective or retrospective designs. The quality of research we perform is nationally recognized.

Currently, we are performing a large NIH-funded study of rare genomic variants of Prune Belly Syndrome, (NIH 1R01DK105068-01; Baker, PI). We have two research coordinators exclusively dedicated to our pediatric urology studies. The laboratory maintains a large ongoing tissue repository for congenital urinary tract conditions, and is establishing a similar pediatric tissue repository to facilitate present and future investigations for multiple disciplines.

Pediatric Urology Studies Underway 

• Advanced Applications of Robotic Surgery to Pediatric Urology
• Clinical Outcomes and Molecular Characterization of Autologous Buccal Mucosa Vaginoplasty
• Management and Genetic Basis of Pediatric Urolithiasis
• Genetic Basis of Prune Belly Syndrome & Other Rare Pediatric GU Anomalies (NIH-funded)
• Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for Pediatric Acute Scrotum (NIH-funded)
• Transitional Care of Young Adults With Spina Bifida and Exstrophy
• Etiology of Cryptorchidism and Hypospadias
• Management of Spina Bifida
• Genetic Causes for Disorders of Sex Development