Research & Initiatives
NMR-based metabolomics in placental and fetal brain tissue
During pregnancy, appropriate placental metabolism is essential for fetuses to reach their growth potential; however, metabolic mechanisms during pregnancy remain poorly understood. Our group uses high-resolution magic angle spinning magnetic resonance spectroscopy (HRMAS MRS) in experimental mice to study fetal brain and placental metabolism. This work is supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.
H NMR spectrum of a mouse placental tissue sample.
Schneider et al. Metabolomics (2022)
1
Impact of environmental exposures on placental function and fetal growth
Exposure to toxic chemicals in utero is known to impact fetal development and increase risk for chronic diseases later in life. Our group exposes pregnant mice to established and novel environmental toxicants to establish the effects on placental function and fetal development. This work is supported by the Banting Research Foundation and the Government of Canada's New Frontiers in Research Fund.
Aghaei et al. Environmental Science and Technology Letters (2022)
Early life exposure to micro- and nanoplastics
Microplastics were recently discovered in the human placenta. Our group is currently recruitment pregnant people to participate in a study to characterize and quantify micro-/nanoplastics in maternal blood and placental tissue. See "Microplastics Research" for more information about our work so far! This work is supported by Health Canada.
Patient-Oriented Research
Our group is committed to patient-oriented research, supporting the axiom "Nothing about us without us". This approach improves health care practices and patient outcomes through the involvement of patients (those with lived experience, families, caregivers) as active partners in research.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is safe during pregnancy and can often provide life-saving information for pregnant people and their babies. Working with patient partners, we are hoping to dispel fears and misconceptions about the use of MRI during pregnancy.
We created a short film, Mega Magneto Man, and programming for elementary school-aged children to develop a stronger understanding about magnetism and MRI. We hope if a child later requires an MRI scan or volunteers for a research study, they will remember what we taught them and have a more positive experience! This work is supported by NL SUPPORT.
Barrett et al. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada (2023).
Brain metabolism and neurodegenerative diseases
The decrepit mouse model recapitulates important clinical features of neurodegenerative diseases including a stereotypical pattern of progression of neurodegeneration (illustrated here from in vivo MRI brain images).
Cahill et al. J Neurosci (2020)
The brain is one of the most metabolically active organs in the body and healthy brain metabolism is critical for normal memory and cognitive function. Recent evidence suggests a link between metabolic dysfunction and neurodegenerative diseases. The goal of this project is to improve the understanding of brain metabolism in neurodegenerative diseases through the use of HRMAS MRS and a novel mouse model that reproduces several of the clinical features of Alzheimer's disease. This work is supported by the Alzheimer Society Research Program.
Therapies for Huntington Disease
Several RNA-targeting therapies are being explored to treat Huntington disease (HD) by lowering the huntingtin protein responsible for the symptoms of HD. The goal of this project is to use a mouse model of HD and advanced magnetic resonance (MRI) technologies to compare the effectiveness of cutting-edge gene therapies to prevent or reverse HD. This work is supported by Brain Canada.
Hanrahan et al. J Huntingtons Dis (2024)