The Centre for Trophoblast Research: improving health through placental research

Abstract

The placenta is an essential but widely neglected organ. As the interface between the mother and her fetus, the placenta represents the platform for a healthy life. The majority of the major complications of pregnancy, including miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction and stillbirth, have their pathophysiological roots in poor placentation. In addition, there is now irrefutable evidence that low birthweight predisposes to a higher risk of cardiovascular and other disorders in later life. The Centre for Trophoblast Research was established in the University of Cambridge with the aim of generating new impetus and a fresh approach to address these problems. Placentation involves many different cell biological processes, some of which are unique to the trophoblast, as well as complex interactions with the maternal immune system. The Centre brings together academic clinicians and basic scientists working in diverse disciplines and provides a rich intellectual environment that facilitates novel collaborative links. The Centre also encourages new investigators into the field and fosters their careers through a number of initiatives, including support for studentships and fellowships, developing research resources, hosting an annual scientific meeting and running a training course in placental biology. Full details can be found at www.trophoblast.cam.ac.uk.The Centre for Trophoblast Research was established in the University of Cambridge to promote research into the placenta. The placenta (afterbirth) is the interface between the mother and her baby. All nutrients and waste products pass across the placenta and so it plays a key role in determining the growth of the baby. Many adverse complications of pregnancy are caused by defects in placental development or function. The placenta carries the same genes as the baby; these are related to those of the mother but are not identical. Hence, there are complex interactions with the cells of the maternal immune system that must be carefully negotiated if the pregnancy is not to be rejected. Many of the functions of the placenta and of the immune interactions depend on a unique cell type, the trophoblast. The Centre brings together basic scientists and academic clinicians to generate a unique interdisciplinary approach to problems of pregnancy. The Centre also provides research training and acts as an international resource centre for placental research.