Current research in my laboratory investigates the factors that regulate tissue specific and temporal gene expression in the placenta throughout pregnancy. Both molecular approaches (transfections, EMSA, footprinting) and transgenic mouse models are used in these studies. Although structurally different, the rodent and human placentas are developmentally and functionally very similar, making the rodent an important and accessible model in which to expand our understanding of placental developmental programs. A further aim of our studies is to provide genetic tools for targeting to specific cells/regions in the placenta in order to examine the potential roles of known growth and angiogenic factors and signaling pathways in implantation and placental development and function.
Academic Achievements
Research Interests
The developmental regulation of the placental-specific members of the rat prolactin family of hormones, and their roles during pregnancy.
We and others have identified six placental members of this gene family and shown that they are expressed in a highly specific cellular and temporal pattern during pregnancy, suggesting that these prolactin-related proteins have important roles in placental and fetal development. We are using two approaches to study the developmental regulation of this gene family.
- An in vitro rat choriocarcinoma cell model for cell transfection studies to identify DNA sequences involved in the placental specific expression of these genes and as a source of placental specific DNA binding proteins for DNA mobility shift assays and DNAse I protection assays.
- An in vivo transgenic mouse model to determine whether the DNA sequences identified in vitro are sufficient to regulate the complete developmental expression patterns of these genes in the pregnant animal.
When placental specific sequences have been identified they will be used in the transgenic mouse to target the expression of foreign genes to the developing placenta in order to examine the factors involved in fetal/maternal interactions.
See Also:
University of Manitoba
Department of Physiology
421 Basic Med Sci Bldg
745 Bannatyne Avenue
Winnipeg MB CANADA
R3E 0J9
Tel: 204 789 3746
Fax: 204 789 3934