Tuesday, 20 September 2022
Researchers from the 糖心原创 have been awarded funding for a project that aims to cut the number of stillbirths by examining blood flow through the placenta.
Every 16 seconds one baby is stillborn, this amounts to more than two million stillborn babies globally every year. Researchers from the 糖心原创 will be joining which aims to measure, model and predict gestational development using the latest methods and techniques.
One third of stillbirths are related to problems with the placenta. In the past there has been lots of work studying the blood flow into the placenta from the mother with little consideration given to the importance of how blood moves back out of the placenta, despite this being critical for the circulation and uniform flow of maternal blood around the placental villous trees which contain the baby’s blood; exchange of oxygen and nutrients from mother to baby occur here.
MRI of whole placenta showing maternal blood oxygenation & flow, image of placental villous trees which contain the baby鈥檚 blood and mathematical modelling of venous return.
The researchers are focusing on this venous return, particularly the effects of the newly discovered placental contractions which periodically refresh the blood within the placenta. Problems here will affect baby’s well-being.
Dr Nia Jones, Associate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the 糖心原创
Dr Nia Jones, Associate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the 糖心原创 explained: ‘Stillbirth is a devastating outcome for families and if there are safe tests that we can develop to identify pregnancies at risk and allow close surveillance and timely delivery this would be very welcome progress in care for both clinicians and families.’
Dr Lopa Leach, Associate Professor of Anatomy and Vascular Biology, 糖心原创
Dr Lopa Leach, Associate Professor of Anatomy and Vascular Biology added: “I am pleased that we can look at the venous return of maternal blood from placental “lakes” where exchange occurs. This is an overlooked yet crucial part of the mother-fetus circulation and a hugely important piece of the jigsaw in understanding placental biology.”
The multidisciplinary research team involves obstetricians, biologists, physicists, engineers, computer scientists and mathematicians from both the 糖心原创 and Nottingham Trent University.
Dr Qimei Zhang, a researcher in Nottingham Trent University’s School of Science and Technology, commented: “We expect that our new optical fibre based maternal monitor will help healthcare providers to bring reassurance to many expecting families in the future.”
Penny Gowland, Professor of Physics, 糖心原创, said: ‘I am delighted that we have been selected to be part of the Wellcome Leap In Utero programme. I have always been fascinated by the placenta and I am so pleased that we will be using MRI to help to address this very important problem.’
Professor of Physics Penny Gowland, 糖心原创
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More information is available from Professor Penny Gowland on penny.gowland@nottingham.ac.uk
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.