Josephine Higgins

Research summary

My research is characterising the placental phenotype under conditions of maternal hypoxia. Hypoxia is common to pregnancy pathologies associated with placental dysfunction and also to those pregnancies at high altitude, both of which are associated with restricted fetal growth. My research has used a mouse model to determine the morphological, transport and mitochondrial phenotype of the placenta following varying degrees of maternal hypoxia, in relation to fetal growth. The next stage of the project has been investigating whether the adverse consequences of hypoxia can be ameliorated with the use of maternal dietary supplements that aim to target signs of placental compromise.

Funding

BBSRC