Our research in this theme brings together researchers whose focus is on early development and its influences on health. It fosters cross-disciplinary work using animal models, and human basic, clinical and population studies to increase our understanding of the environmental, behavioural and social factors that affect health before, during and after pregnancy.
This focus includes the impact of these factors on placental function, offspring development, health and behaviour across the lifecourse (i.e. early embryo, through childhood to adulthood). The group encompasses researchers from varying backgrounds, such as basic scientists, clinicians, nutritionists, psychologists, public health researchers and epidemiologists, and encourages a translational science approach. It facilitates inter-disciplinary collaboration both within and outside the group.
Examining the
development and first differentiation in life of the preimplantation embryo into the blastocyst
Judith Eckert
We cover mechanisms of blastocyst differentiation and how these mechanisms respond to external cues such as in vitro culture or maternal diet and body condition. We also follow through how external cues experienced only during the preimplantation phase can affect development through gestation and offspring health and physiology (in collaboration with Professor Tom Fleming and Dr Neil Smyth , Natural and Environmental Sciences). We also investigate how gross maternal body conditions translate locally to reproductive tract composition, the environment the embryo develops in, and how this impacts on maternal-embryonic crosstalk (in collaboration with Nick Macklon , Ying Cheong , Bas Van Rijn ).
Mechanistic studies of fetal and postnatal adaptive responses to the early developmental nutritional environment, and the impact on cardiovascular and metabolic function in later life.
Lucy Green
and
Kirsten Poore
This research combines whole systems physiology, endocrinology, immunohistochemistry and molecular biology techniques to deliver integrated physiological insight into growth and cardiovascular and metabolic function across the life course. Techniques and experimental paradigms are chosen carefully to promote opportunities for translation of this basic science to the clinical setting.
Biological clocks control endogenous 24-hour oscillations or circadian rhythms in biochemical, physiological and behavioural processes, thereby maintaining the health and well-being of an individual
Felino Cagampang
Dr Cagampang's current research investigates the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms of how exposure to environmental stressors, i.e. maternal obesity and/or maternal stress, during fetal and early life development could lead to abnormal circadian rhythms, increasing disease susceptibility later in life. The aim is to use this knowledge to determine if there are clock biomarkers that could be used in detecting future disease risk and as part of the strategies for disease prevention and treatment (i.e. chronotherapeutics).
Our research strategy is to deliver a translational, epidemiological research programme focusing on improving the lives of children with, or at risk of developing, asthma and allergic disease
.
Graham Roberts
Examples are:
Investigating the use of surfactant in paediatric lung disease in addition to these activities form part of a much wider paediatric allergy and respiratory medicine research strategy involving many Southampton colleagues including John Holloway , Jane Lucas , Keith Godfrey , Hazel Inskip , Hasan Arshad , Ramesh Kurukuulaaratchy, Donna Davies , Stephen Holgate and Katy Pike
The Placental Research Group is investigating placental nutrient transport as a determinant of both fetal growth and lifelong health
Rohan Lewis
We have made significant progress in uncovering the mechanisms underlying placental nutrient transfer and we are also focusing on their regulation by both maternal factors and at the cellular level. In order to understand placental function as an integrated system we are developing a computational model of placental function. These approaches will ultimately allow us to develop strategies to help babies who are growing poorly in the womb.
Peri-implantation events are major determinants of fertility, pregnancy outcome and longterm health
Ying Cheong
,
Nick Macklon
and
Bas Van Rijn
Our work focuses on understanding periconceptional determinants of human embryo health and the intras-uterine environment. We have a particular and developing novel means of monitoring determinants and impact of the intra-uterine environment in implantation. Our key local collaborators include Judith Eckert and Tom Fleming (glucose transport mechanisms) Franchesca Houghton (amino acid profiles), Tracey Newman (nanotherapeutics) Hywel Morgan (remote biosensing) and Felino Cagampang (clock genes). We also collaborate with national, international and commercial partners on studies in periconceptional medicine and early pregnancy.
Maternal influences on fetal development, childhood growth, and long-term risk of cardio-metabolic disease, in human populations in developing countries
Caroline Fall
These studies include historic and prospective birth cohorts, and trials of nutritional interventions in women before and during pregnancy. Our major developing country focus is India, where we have a long-standing programme involving collorations in 6 research centres.
The Southampton Women's Survey
Cyrus Cooper
,
Keith Godfrey
,
Hazel Inskip
and
Siân Robinson
The Southampton Women's Survey has collected data on 12,583 young women who were not pregnant and followed 3,159 of them through pregnancy to a live birth. The cohort of children has been followed up to age 3 years and samples are being studied at ages 4, 6, and 8 years. A follow-up at 10-11 years is planned with funding from the EU. The main aims are to assess the pre-conceptional and pregnancy influences on childhood growth, health and development, specifically body composition, cardiovascular and respiratory health and cognitive function. A wealth of data is available to test a variety of hypotheses, and work on the SWS is conducted in the LEU, in collaboration with various scientists across the Faculty and the wider University as well as with scientists from other institutions.
The Southampton Initiative for Health
Mary Barker
,
Janis Baird
and
Hazel Inskip
The Southampton Initiative for Health is an intervention study in which workers in Children's Centres are trained to engage women in ‘healthy conversations' to enable them to improve their self-efficacy, and their diets and those of their families. The assessment of the intervention is by a before and after comparison between Southampton, where training was introduced, and Gosport and Havant where it was not. Change in behaviour of staff has been shown, the final outcome of change in women and their children still being assessed.
Research involving scanning pregnant women to collect measurement data of their baby's bones and muscles
Pam Mahon
We are currently running a randomised control trial, where we are giving pregnant mothers a placebo or a supplement of vitamin D daily, to see if this affects their baby's bone strength. We are also gathering information about the mother's health, diet and lifestyle, so we can see what influences the offspring's development; for example how much protein, vitamin D, calcium or fat in the mothers' diet affects bone, muscle and cardiovascular development and growth.
Sarah Crozier,
Jane Cleal
,
Mark Hanson
, Wendy Laurence,
Tracy Newman
, Corinne Nisbet
Cross Faculty investigators:
Tom Fleming
,
Hywel Morgan