Early detection of complications in human pregnancy

Overview

Complications of pregnancy, including preterm birth represent the major causes of fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality and potentially affect childhood and adult susceptibility to both cardiac and metabolic diseases. Early detection of these disorders is, therefore, essential to improve health outcomes for mother and baby.

Exosomes are small (40-120 nm), stable, lipid bilayer nanovesicles identified in biological fluids (e.g. in milk, blood, urine and saliva). They contain a diverse array of signalling molecules, including mRNA, microRNA (miR), proteins, lipids and membrane receptors, and they interact with target cells via multiple pathways. We hypothesise that the identification and analysis of exosomal cargo isolated from complicated pregnancies will be indicative of a specific tissue’s health status, granting the capacity for use of exosomes as a tool for disease diagnosis.

Our goal is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms leading to the development of pregnancy complications, to develop diagnostic tests for the early detection of abnormalities in e.g. fertility, pregnancy and childhood development and potentially targets for therapeutic interventions.

Approaches, skills and techniques

Approaches required include:

• exosomal isolation
• next generation proteomics
• microRNA sequencing
• Western blot
• ELISA and PCR arrays
• differential analytical techniques.

Outcomes

This project is aimed to identify potential biomarkers of human pregnancy complications through the utilisation of biological fluid measurements and exosomal content evaluations.

Required skills and experience

• Interest and enthusiasm for biomedical research.
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary team environment.
• Knowledge of basic biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, and basic laboratory techniques will be an advantage.

Keywords

• pregnancy
• exosomes
• preterm birth

Contact

Contact the supervisor for more information.