My laboratory is interested in the development and function of the placenta, a unique transient organ essential for proper fetal development. The placenta is derived from fetal trophectoderm, which differentiate into multiple subtypes of trophoblast, with different cellular characteristics and function. Villous trophoblast, including cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast, serve as oxygen and nutrient exchange interface, while extravillous trophoblast invade maternal decidua and spiral arterioles and establish a blood supply for the growing placenta. Alterations in trophoblast differentiation and function lead to placental hypoxia and insufficiency, and to various obstetric diseases and complications, including pre-eclampsia and intra-uterine growth restriction. Using primary mouse trophoblast stem cells, human trophoblast cell lines, as well as primary human trophoblast cultures and placental explants, we are exploring the role of several transcription factors involved in trophoblast differentiation, and their regulation by oxygen tension.
