Maternal Recognition Of Fetal Sex In The Regulation Of Labour
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$455,821.00
Summary
Preterm birth is the largest cause of death in infants and males are more likely to be born preterm than females. We propose that the intrauterine renin-angiotensin system, the activity of which is regulated in a sex-specific manner, plays a critical role in protecting against preterm labour. Our study will further our understanding of the mechanisms of preterm labour and provide new insight into the sex-specific differences in the prevalence of preterm birth.
The Role Of Endometrial Stem Cells In Women’s Reproductive Health And Disease, And Their Use In Cell Based Therapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$727,765.00
Summary
The endometrial lining of the uterus rapidly grows and sheds each month in reproductive age women. My discovery of 2 types of endometrial stem cells has changed our understanding of how endometrium grows and how abnormalities in this process lead to gynaecological disease. This project will characterise the role of endometrial stem cells in endometriosis and examine how endometrial mesenchymal stem cells can be used as a cell-based therapy for pelvic organ prolapse.
The Intrarenal Renin Angiotensin System (RAS) In Indigenous Women: An Early Indicator Of Renal Dysfunction In Women At Risk Of Pregnancy Complications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,358.00
Summary
Indigenous women are twice as likely to have low birth weight babies compared to non-Indigenous women and 2.5 times as likely to develop preeclampsia, possibly because they have a much greater incidence of chronic kidney disease, predisposing them to these pregnancy outcomes. We have found a new, sensitive marker of early stage renal dysfunction in pregnancy that could be useful for detecting early stage renal disease and which is indicative of an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcome.
Tissue Engineering A Cell-based Therapy For Pelvic Organ Prolapse Repair
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$709,975.00
Summary
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a hidden burden affecting 50% of all women. POP is the herniation of the uterus, bladder and/or bowel into the vagina causing incontinence and sexual dysfunction. POP results from injury to pelvic tissues during childbirth. Reconstructive surgery used to treat POP often fails. We aim to develop an innovative cell-based therapy using a woman’s own mesenchymal stem cells combined with novel scaffold materials that will regenerate the damaged pelvic tissues.