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The Placental Research group is headed by Professor Jeff Keelan. The group has collaborative links with the Department of Anatomy and Human Biology, UWA, the School of Medicine and Pharmacology at Royal Perth Hospital, The Perinatal Research Centre at Melbourne's Royal Women's Hospital, and the Liggins Institute at the University of Auckland. The Placental Research Group is funded by the NHMRC, Bartholemew Trust, Raine Foundation and UWA. It currently has three main areas of study: - The use of anti-inflammatory drugs to block placental inflammation, a leading cause or premature birth.
- Drug transporters in the placenta and their role in:
- a) protecting the fetus from toxins and harmful chemicals, and
- b) modifying cellular lipids and survival during placental formation.
- Dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids in pregnancy to protect against common pregnancy disorders.
To date, the group's major findings include: - Identifying the presence of novel recognition molecules responsible for triggering inflammation within the placental and fetal membranes
- Defining how changes in cellular sphingolipid synthesis and metabolism are necessary for successful placental cell differentiation
- Identifying changes in gene expression in the fetal membranes in response to bacteria and anti-inflammatory drugs
- Localising cholesterol transporters to specific placental cell types, suggesting a role for transporters in regulating delivery of cholesterol to the fetus
- Identifying periodontal bacteria as highly potent stimulators of inflammation in the fetal membranes
- Showing that exposure of placental tissues to fish oil-derived fatty acids can modify placental inflammation and oxidative stress.
For more information contact: Jeffrey A Keelan BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD, MRSNZ
Professor and Principal Research Fellow
Director, Women's and Infant's Health Research Laboratories
School of Women's and Infant's Health
University of Western Australia
At King Edward Memorial Hospital
Subiaco, Perth WA 6008
Tel: +61-8-9340-1880
Fax: +61-8-9381-3031
Mobile: 0466 356 598
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