Investigating the role of novel miRNAs in preterm birth
- Research Opportunity
- PhD, Masters by Research, Honours
- Number of Honour Places Available
- 1
- Number of Master Places Available
- 1
- Department
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Location
- Royal Melbourne Hospital
| Primary Supervisor | Number | Webpage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Martha Lappas | mlappas@unimelb.edu.au | 848 4370 | Personal web page |
Summary This project aims will use our unique biobank of human clinical samples and mouse models of preterm birth to identify miRNAs that may be involved in spontaneous preterm birth.
Project Details
Preterm birth is one of the most significant health care issues globally. Preterm birth is the leading cause of early neonatal death worldwide, and spontaneous preterm birth is the single biggest contributor. An efficacious medical therapeutic that can stop spontaneous preterm birth would be a major advance. Such treatments do not exist and their development is hampered by the fact the process of human parturition remains incompletely understood.
This project aims will use our unique biobank of human clinical samples and mouse models of preterm birth to identify miRNAs that may be involved in spontaneous preterm birth. By manipulating the expression of these miRNAs, we will determine if they regulate key pathways involved in spontaneous preterm birth. The identification of these miRNAs may represent novel intervention points for developing therapeutics to reduce the incidence of preterm birth and related perinatal morbidity and mortality.
This project will use a range of laboratory methods including cell and tissue culture, molecular biology, enzyme immunoassays, and Western blot.
Faculty Research Themes
Child Health, Infection and Immunology
School Research Themes
Child Health in Medicine, Women's Health
Research Opportunities
PhD, Masters by Research, Honours
Students who are interested in joining this project will need to consider their elegibility as well as other requirements before contacting the supervisor of this research
Key Contact
For further information about this research, please contact a supervisor.
Department
Research Group / Unit / Centre
Research Node
Royal Melbourne HospitalMDHS Research library
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