There’s a promising new weapon in the fight against Minnesota’s widening opportunity gap: The University of Minnesota Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain (MIDB). Behind the MIDB’s work is the notion that in the first 1,000 days, from conception to 2-3 years of age, the human brain is both more vulnerable to damage and more open to repair. During this time, nutrition, parenting, a supportive environment, and possible interventions are critical to development.

The MIDB, which opened in November 2021, is an ambitious new effort by a team that includes not only U of M experts from a wide range of disciplines, but also community leaders who will deliver the work where it’s needed most. This collaborative environment will help boost breakthroughs and accelerate their delivery from the lab to clinicians, educators, caregivers, and policymakers to help all children have a better life.