Maternal Exposures and Fetoplacental Programming
1. Maternal Obesity and Metabolic Dysregulation
We investigate how maternal obesity and diet influenced fetal brain development and offspring behavior using human and animal models, identifying altered gene expression, increased inflammation, and sex-specific effects on neurodevelopment, neurotransmitter signaling, and behavior.
Diabetes in Pregnancy: In projects led by Dr. Lydia Shook, we investigate the impact of diabetes in pregnancy on maternal and fetal immune activation and outcomes.
2. Viral Infection in Pregnancy
COVID: During the COVID-19 pandemic, our lab established one of the largest COVID-19 Pregnancy Biorepositories in the U.S. (>1200 participants enrolled). We were among the first to define maternal, placental, and neonatal immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination, including antibody transfer across the placenta and through breastmilk. This work was critical in informing policy statements from the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine and other national governing bodies.
SPARC-XP: Maternal infection during pregnancy is a known risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and ADHD, but most exposed children do not develop these conditions. This study aims to better identify which children are at the highest risk to support early intervention and prevention.
Personalized models of fetal brain development: Through a collaboration with Roy Perlis MD, we are using personalized fetal microglial to model the impact of maternal exposures on the fetal brain. We hope that this will allow us to identify the highest risk children after in utero maternal SARS-CoV-2 exposure. We hope these models will facilitate early interventions for exposed children and help clinicians develop therapeutic strategies.
3. Substance Use in Pregnancy
We also examine how maternal medications and substance use during pregnancy influence in utero brain development and maternal and fetal immunity.
Personalized models of fetal brain development (Roy’s lab link)
HBCDE: We conduct an ancillary study to the large national HBCD study, to help evaluate the impact of maternal substance use on fetal brain development and infant and child behavior.
