At Mothers’ Milk Bank California (MMBCA), our mission extends beyond providing safe donor human milk—we are committed to advancing the science that ensures medically fragile infants receive the very best start in life. Through strategic research partnerships with leading academic institutions, we help bridge clinical care and scientific discovery, transforming donor human milk from a lifesaving intervention into a continuously evolving, evidence-based standard of care.
MMBCA collaborates with world-class researchers to deepen understanding of the biological, nutritional, and immunological properties of donor human milk, as well as to explore innovations in milk processing, preservation, and safety. Insights from this work directly inform our innovation roadmap, clinical education efforts, and public advocacy—strengthening neonatal care today while shaping the future of maternal-infant health.
Our Valued Research Partners
A cornerstone of this effort is our research partnership with the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where investigators are examining the molecular and cellular components of pasteurized donor human milk. This research explores how bioactive compounds support the developing gut, immune system, and brain of premature and vulnerable infants, while also evaluating processing approaches that safeguard milk’s protective properties.
Complementing this work, MMBCA partners with interdisciplinary researchers at the University of Southern California, including faculty with courtesy appointments across chemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences, and psychiatry and behavioral sciences through USC’s MADLab. These collaborations reflect our commitment to cross-disciplinary innovation—bringing together food science, engineering, medicine, and public health to address real-world challenges in infant nutrition and safety.
Why Research and Innovation Matter
Together with our research partners, MMBCA has contributed to peer-reviewed studies spanning topics such as subclinical mastitis detection, advanced biosensing technologies, and novel wearable diagnostics. Each collaboration reinforces our 50-year commitment to evidence-based practice and equitable access to donor human milk.
As demand for donor human milk continues to rise—driven by increasing NICU admissions and national breastfeeding challenges—MMBCA remains dedicated to generating the scientific evidence needed to inform policy, strengthen clinical protocols, and improve outcomes for the most vulnerable infants.
How to Become a Community Partner
Researchers and academic institutions interested in collaborating or requesting donor human milk for approved studies are encouraged to contact Mothers’ Milk Bank California to explore partnership opportunities.
Email: info@MothersMilk.org
Phone: (408) 998-4550