trophoblast stem cells

The extra embryonic equivalent of ESCs, TSCs give rise to all cell types within the placenta. We study how oxygen tension and metabolism regulate TSC fate via HIF-dependent transcription. We are applying these insights to understand the causes of preeclampsia.

dormancy

Metabolic dormancy is a little understood mechanism to combat oxygen/glucose deprivation. We discovered how a HIF-target gene, HIGD1A, regulate this process, and are studying its effects on tumor dormancy and neural responses to stroke. 

placental metabolism

The placenta consumes 40-60% of the oxygen and glucose delivered to it at term, despite the fact that it comprises only 10-20% of the mass of the conceptus. We study how alterations in placental metabolism affect its development and impact nutrient transport to the fetus.