Award details

Regulation of supply and demand for maternal nutrients in mouse fetal development by imprinted genes

Reference	BBS/E/B/0000L073
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Wolf Reik
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Dr Miguel Constancia
Institution	Babraham Institute
Department	Babraham Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	298,398
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/05/2003
End date	30/04/2007
Duration	48 months

Abstract

Proper regulation of the growth of the baby in the womb is very important for healthy development after birth. Babies that are small at birth can have an increased risk of diseases such as diabetes and heart disease later in life. It is therefore very important to identify factors that can cause the growth deficiency of babies. We have established a mouse model system for this type of growth deficieny at birth, by eliminating an important growth factor from the placenta (which is the tissue by which the baby is attached to the womb and through which maternal nutrients are provided). This model results in growth deficiency of the placenta and then later on of the baby. We have developed assays with which to measure the amount of nutrients that are transferred from the mother to the baby through the placenta, and have found specific deficiencies of transfer in the placenta that lacks a particular growth factor. We will now measure the nutrient transfer function of the placenta in more detail, and use other genetic manipulations to understand the factors that are important for nutrient transfer. This will have important consequences for diagnosing and eventually treating growth problems of human babies.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Genes & Developmental Biology (GDB)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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