Background <p>Advances in Pediatric Rheumatology are driven by mechanistic insights from basic and translational science. We have selected and reviewed the most impactful basic/translational science from our “Year in Review (YIR)” presentations from the 2024 Pediatric Rheumatology European Society and American College of Rheumatology Convergence meetings (September and November 2024, respectively).</p> Main body <p>We drew from fundamental immunology, human genetics, animal models, and computational &amp; “omic” manuscripts published in the year preceding these meetings. Avoiding overlap with other topics presented in this “Perspectives” series, summarized herein are the major themes we gleaned from that process. These include (1) innovative concepts and tools to study immune health, (2) new mechanistic insights into pediatric rheumatic diseases and (3) novel therapeutic targets and treatment approaches in rheumatic disease.</p> Conclusions <p>As part of a living relationship with the basic/translational literature that shapes our field and practice, we hope readers will be inspired to delve more deeply into the topics and manuscripts highlighted in this YIR summary.</p>