News

Developmental potential of aneuploid human embryos cultured beyond implantation

12 August 2020

The first detailed analysis of post-implantation development of aneuploid human embryos have been published in Nature Communications by the Zernicka-Goetz lab Abstract : Aneuploidy, the presence of an abnormal number of chromosomes, is a major cause of early pregnancy loss in humans. Yet, the developmental consequences of...

Origin and function of the yolk sac in primate embryogenesis

4 August 2020

Why do human embryos need a yolk sac and how does it form? This Perspective by Thorsten Boroviak and Connor Ross explores the development and function of the yolk sac in primate embryogenesis. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-17575-w

Dr Judith Bulmer, renowned placental pathologist, has passed away

22 July 2020

It is with great sadness that we hear of the passing of Dr Judith Bulmer on July 21st. Judith was a highly esteemed placental pathologist who contributed enormously to placental research through her work on uterine Natural Killer cells and spiral artery remodelling. She regularly attended IFPA meetings and was also a great...

Dr Kathy Niakan announced as next Director of the CTR

13 July 2020

We are delighted that Dr Kathy Niakan will be the next Director of the Loke CTR from October 2020. Kathy was one of the first Next Generation Fellows in the Loke CTR, and went on to become a group leader at the CRICK Institute in London. There, Kathy’s research has focussed on studying the mechanisms determining cell fate...

CTR Director Prof Graham Burton is awarded the IFPA Joan Hunt Senior Award in Placentology

6 July 2020

Congratulations to Loke CTR Director, Prof Graham Burton, who has received the IFPA Joan Hunt Senior Award. The Award recognizes the work of established senior scientists who have led placental research groups and have made a significant contribution to the understanding of placental and reproductive functions. In this...

Kristian Franze receives Senior Academic Promotion to Professor

2 July 2020

We would like to congratulate our PDN colleague, and member of the Loke CTR, Kristian Franze for his promotion to Professor of Neuronal Mechanics. The General Board has awarded Kristian the Professorship which will take effect from 1st October 2020. Kristian's research takes interdisciplinary approaches to investigate how...

New paper lays out Burroughs Wellcome Fund thinking regarding the importance of research into pregnancy.

29 June 2020

Advancing Human Health in the Decade Ahead: Pregnancy as a Key Window for Discovery A Burroughs Wellcome Fund Pregnancy Think-Tank. Yoel Sadovsky, MD Sam Mesiano, PhD Graham J. Burton, PhD Michelle Lampl, PhD, MD Jeffrey C. Murray, MD Rachel M. Freathy, PhD Anita Mahadevan-Jansen, PhD Ashley Moffett, MD Nathan D. Price...

Autophagy-mediated apoptosis eliminates chromosomally abnormal cells from the mouse epiblast

24 June 2020

New paper in Nature Communications by the Zernicka-Goetz group shows that apoptosis and autophagy ensure aneuploid cells in early stage embryos do not proceed through post-implantation development of the fetus not proceed through post-implantation development of the fetus Images from time-lapse series showing apoptosis of...

Chicks hatch clue on life-saving therapy for preterm babies

5 June 2020

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have suggested that subtle changes to the drugs administered to mothers threatened with preterm birth or to premature babies could further improve clinical treatment and help increase their safety. While the current practice of using glucocorticoid therapy shows life-saving...

Placental glycogen stores and fetal growth: insights from genetic mouse models, review article just publised in Reproduction