The Berlin site integrates basic, translational and clinical research in pediatrics and the life sciences. The focus is on rare genetic diseases, chronic inflammatory diseases, and early determinants of health and disease, as well as the use of systems medicine approaches for the discovery of disease mechanisms and novel therapeutic targets. Key infrastructures include innovative (single cell-) multi-omics technologies, disease-relevant model systems, large patient cohorts, artificial intelligence and digital health, as well as clinical trials in children and adolescents. Partners are the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, the Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medizin (MDC) in in the Helmholtz Association and the Deutsche Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ) in the Leibniz Association.

The Göttingen site combines basic and translational research in the neurosciences. The focus is on the development and function of the central nervous system (CNS) and its disturbances in neurological and non-neurological diseases. The special infrastructure includes human CNS biomaterials and disease models, innovative technological developments such as STED microscopy, real-time MRI and the therapeutic application of stem cells, as well as an integrative research data infrastructure. Partners are the University Medical Center Göttingen, the Georg-August-University Göttingen, the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, the German Primate Center and the Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP.

The Partner Site Greifswald/Rostock is an interdisciplinary consortium with a unique joint main research focus in community medicine. The overall aim of research is to improve the health situation and quality of life of the population. Access to medical care, prevention and social participation should be ensured for all children and adolescents by applying innovative care models. The entire community medicine-continuum from epidemiological basic research to health services and prevention research can be realized at the site Greifswald/Rostock. The special infrastructure includes excellent connections to a broad network of medical and community partners, competencies in telemedicine and eHealth, and fully digitized instruments for consent- and ID-management for trusted third party functionalities. Partners are University Medicine Greifswald, the University Medicine Rostock, and the University Greifswald.

At the Hamburg site, the focus is on researching and treating rare genetic diseases. Research involves identifying genetic diseases, understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms, targeting new therapies, and approving and introducing new treatments. Another focus is research into congenital neurological diseases. In addition, the Hamburg location contributes to the research areas of immunology, especially in the field of transplantation medicine, and to psychosocial and mental health. The location has an excellent infrastructure. This includes, among other things, a platform for drug development and outstanding expertise in the field of systems medicine. Partners of the Hamburg DZKJ location are the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf and the Leibniz Institute of Virology (LIV).

In an overarching and holistic approach, the Leipzig/Dresden site combines comprehensive epidemiological surveillance of child health and development in a dynamic environmental context with special consideration of the psyche-soma interaction. The site provides a broad interdisciplinary spectrum of scientific and clinical excellence in pediatric epidemiology, environmental research, immunology, infectious diseases, obesity, and mental health. The research is supported by a powerful complementary infrastructure, including a unique collection of cohorts, state-of-the-art technologies (high-throughput platforms, bio- and environmental monitoring, NGS technology), clinical research platforms, expertise on cell reprogramming/gene targeting/genetic engineering as well as GMP-conform facilities. Participating institutions at the site are the Leipzig University, the Technical University Dresden, the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ as well as the Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG), the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, and the Robert Koch Institute.

The Munich site contributes its specific research expertise in the fields of immunology and metabolism. The focus is on the identification of genetically determined disease factors, the development of new methods of precision diagnostics (including AI-based analytics) as well as novel strategies in cell and gene therapy. Scientists from Munich share their infrastructure to unravel disease mechanisms using in vitro and in vivo models (e.g. transgenic large animals) and platforms to design cell- and gene therapy. The translational research program is inspired and guided by the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Munich site is orchestrated by the LMU with partners at LMU Klinikum, Klinikum of the Technical University Munich, the Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, and the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry.

The Ulm site focuses on metabolism, hormones and obesity, normal and aberrant development of the immune system, and the immuno-metabolic basis of mental disorders. It contributes expertise ranging from molecular medicine to psychologic, digital and ethical aspects of these foci. Ulm investigates somatic (epi)genetic mechanisms in development and disease, early programming of morbidity and mortality later in life, and coping with the sequelae of life-threatening and chronic diseases. The site conducts prevention programs and develops digital health approaches for health care and health control. These approaches profit from well-established interdisciplinary, trans-sectoral interactions including cooperation with pharmaceutical industry, from strong methodological platforms and from unique, large patient and population-based cohorts. Partners are Ulm University, its Medical Faculty, its University Hospital and the Red Cross Blood Transfusion Center.