At the Isabel Davis Center for Safe Children, we use advanced rodent models to investigate the underlying biological causes of Sudden Unexpected Death in Pediatrics (SUDP), including SIDS, SUID, and SUDC. These models allow us to study how genetic variants, environmental stressors, and physiological vulnerabilities may interact to disrupt basic life-sustaining functions like breathing, arousal, and heart rate regulation during infancy.
Our goal is to translate findings from tragic, unexplained child deaths into data-driven prevention strategies—and to do so quickly, precisely, and with care.
Ethical Commitment
We are deeply committed to the ethical and humane use of animals in research. All studies are conducted under rigorous protocols approved by institutional animal care and use committees (IACUC) of Baylor College of Medicine, and are designed to reduce suffering and minimize the number of animals used. We view these models not as experiments in isolation, but as acts of service—tools to bring peace, prevention, and progress in the face of devastating loss.
From Genetic Discovery to Mechanistic Insight
In many cases of SUDP, families and clinicians are left with no answers—even when genetic testing reveals a variant of uncertain significance (VUS).
Our team helps close that gap. When specific gene mutations are identified in infants or children who have died, we:
- Engineer Mouse Models
We use CRISPR and other genetic tools to replicate those mutations in laboratory mice. - Measure Physiological Responses
Our custom-built platforms allow for real-time monitoring of breathing, arousal, heart rate, and brain activity—especially during sleep, when most SUDP deaths occur. - Identify Risk Mechanisms
By comparing how these mutations affect basic survival reflexes, we can begin to understand which genes are truly pathogenic—and how they might be targeted for future interventions.
Modeling Environmental Risk
We also test how extrinsic factors like cigarette smoke, bedding conditions, and air quality interact with genetic vulnerabilities. These models help us replicate real-world conditions and better understand the “triple risk” theory of SIDS: a vulnerable infant, during a critical developmental window, exposed to an external stressor.
Why It Matters
Our models don’t just generate data—they generate answers. This work helps:
- Clarify the cause of death in specific cases
- Inform genetic counseling for surviving family members
- Guide future diagnostic tools and risk screening
- Lay the groundwork for potential preventative therapies