News

BAP1/ASXL complex modulation regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition during trophoblast differentiation and invasion

28 June 2021

Vicente Perez-Garcia, Georgia Lea, Pablo Lopez-Jimenez, Hanneke Okkenhaug, Graham J Burton, Ashley Moffett, Margherita Y Turco, Myriam Hemberger Abstract Normal function of the placenta depends on the earliest developmental stages when trophoblast cells differentiate and invade into the endometrium to establish the...

Study identifies trigger for ‘head-to-tail’ axis development in human embryo

21 June 2021

Scientists have identified key molecular events in the developing human embryo between days 7 and 14 - one of the most mysterious, yet critical, stages of our development. The second week of gestation represents a critical stage of embryo development, or embryogenesis. Failure of development during this time is one of the...

Menstrual flow as a non-invasive source of endometrial organoids

21 June 2021

Tereza Cindrova-Davies, Xiaohui Zhao, Kay Elder, Carolyn J. P. Jones, Ashley Moffett, Graham J. Burton & Margherita Y. Turco Abstract Assessment of the endometrium often necessitates a biopsy, which currently involves an invasive, transcervical procedure. Here, we present an alternative technique based on deriving...

Defective folate metabolism causes germline epigenetic instability and distinguishes Hira as a phenotype inheritance biomarker

17 June 2021

Georgina E. T. Blake, Xiaohui Zhao, Hong wa Yung, Graham J. Burton, Anne C. Ferguson-Smith, Russell S. Hamilton & Erica D. Watson Abstract The mechanism behind transgenerational epigenetic inheritance is unclear, particularly through the maternal grandparental line. We previously showed that disruption of folate...

The RNA landscape of the human placenta in health and disease paper has been selected by the editors of Nat Comms to be highlighted as among the best 50 papers in the area

16 June 2021

The editors at Nature Communications have put together an Editors’ Highlights webpage of recent research called “Genetics, genomics and epigenetics” and have featured the article entitled “The RNA landscape of the human placenta in health and disease”. The Editors’ Highlights pages aim to showcase the 50 best papers...

Disruption of folate metabolism causes poor alignment and spacing of mouse conceptuses for multiple generations

14 June 2021

Amy L Wilkinson, Katerina Menelaou, Joanna Rakoczy, Xiu S Tan, Erica D Watson Abstract Abnormal uptake or metabolism of folate increases risk of human pregnancy complications, though the mechanism is unclear. Here, we explore how defective folate metabolism influences early development by analysing mice with an Mtrrgt...

RNA-Seq reveals changes in human placental metabolism, transport and endocrinology across the first–second trimester transition

10 June 2021

Malwina Prater, Russell S. Hamilton, Hong Wa Yung, Andrew M. Sharkey, Paul Robson, N. Erlyani Abd Hamid, Eric Jauniaux, D. Stephen Charnock-Jones, Graham J. Burton, Tereza Cindrova-Davies Abstract The human placenta is exposed to major environmental changes towards the end of the first trimester associated with full onset...

New study led by Dr Amanda N. Sferruzzi-Perri provides hope a better understanding of the placenta will result in safer, healthier pregnancies

10 June 2021

Women who will develop potentially life-threatening disorders during pregnancy can be identified early when hormone levels in the placenta are tested, a new study has shown. Pregnancy disorders affect around one in ten pregnant women. Nearly all of the organ systems of the mother’s body need to alter their function during...

Professor W.R. (Twink) Allen

7 June 2021

It is with great sadness we note the passing of Twink (W.R.) Allen. Twink was a specialist in equine reproduction, and for many years Director of The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Equine Fertility Unit in Newmarket. His research covered many areas, from the endocrine and immunological properties of chorionic girdle...

The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) has released new guidance in response to emerging areas of stem cell and embryo research

1 June 2021

a3de6a45-5086-bd65-e01d-1d5e1d9645d4.png The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) has released new guidance in response to emerging areas of stem cell and embryo research , after a two-year consultation with experts in science, ethics and law including Professors Kathy Niakan and Azim Surani. Previous...