Gutmann is the founder and director of the Neurofibromatosis Clinical Program, which is dedicated to treating the common inherited tumor predisposition syndrome, neurofibromatosis (NF). Individuals with NF have an increased risk of developing brain tumors and other cancers. As national leader in the development of genetically-modified mouse models of human cancers, he has developed mouse models of NF brain tumors. Using a team approach to translate basic science discoveries to improved clinical care for individuals with NF, Gutmann established the Washington University NF Center in 2004.