Symposia/Workshop programme

 

Regulation of placental function and pregnancy outcome

Synopsis

 

Organised by

Graham J Burton (University of Cambridge, UK) and Harry J McArdle (Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen, UK)

 

Location *

TBC

 

0845

Welcome and introduction – Harry J McArdle

0900

Irene Cetin ( University of Milan, Italy)
Causes and consequences of intrauterine growth restriction

0930

Jacqueline Wallace (Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen, UK)
Nutrition, placental growth and pregnancy outcome

1000

Simcha Yagel ( Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel)
Materno-fetal interactions and placental development

1030

Coffee

1100

Miguel Constancia ( University of Cambridge, UK)
Imprinted genes, placental function and pregnancy outcome

1130

Graham Burton ( University of Cambridge, UK)
The role of the Akt/mTOR pathway in normal and abnormal feto-placental growth

 

Synopsis

During development, the fetus is entirely dependent on the placenta for nutrition. Any disorders in placental physiology will therefore have severe consequences for the fetus. Intrauterine growth restriction can have a number of aetiologies, ranging from maternal undernutrition to defective trophoblast invasion. Despite its importance, we are only now beginning to understand the pathophysiology of the condition at the cellular and molecular levels, and this Symposium will summarise the latest insights. It will begin with an overview of intrauterine growth restriction in humans, and a consideration of possible vascular causes secondary to deficient trophoblast invasion. Next, we will explore new evidence that immunological interactions during trophoblast invasion are facilitatory, and the impact these may have for the release of angiogenic factors in the placental bed. Following this, attention will switch to mouse models which have been developed to allow the effects of genetic and molecular manipulations on placental development and physiology to be tested experimentally. Finally, we will consider molecular changes within human and murine placental tissues that may underlie a unifying response to different stimuli resulting in reduced placental growth and functional capacity.

 

Symposia Location Key

LT 1 Babbage Lecture Theatre (New Museums Site)
LT 2 Cockcroft Lecture Theatre (New Museums Site)
LT 3 Main Physiology Lecture Theatre (Downing Site)
LT 4 Main Anatomy Lecture Theatre (Downing Site)
LT 5 Biffin Lecture Theatre (Downing Site)
LT 6 Physiology Lecture Theatre 3 (Downing Site)
LT 7 Arts School Room B (New Museums Site)
LT 8 Arts School Room C (New Museums Site)