News
2010
Maternal and Fetal Health visited by special little boy
The Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre were visited by a little boy and his family who almost died in the womb (15 January 2010). Read the full story on the Manchester Evening News website.
2009
Triple grant success for medical researchers
Press release: 26 November 2009
University of Manchester researchers looking at potential new therapies for pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction have been awarded £2.4 million.
Pre-eclampsia – a group of conditions that result in high blood pressure in expectant mothers – can be fatal, while fetal growth restriction, where the baby does not grow properly in the womb, results in a greater risk of death or handicap.
The five-year programme grant from the Medical Research Council has been given to Professor Colin Sibley, Dr Sue Greenwood and Dr Mark Wareing in Manchester’s Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre based at St Mary’s Hospital, together with collaborators in Cambridge, Harwell and Alberta.
Professor Sibley said: “Pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction are diseases with many different causes and are the most dangerous pregnancy complications. There are currently no treatments available other than Caesarean section or inducing labour.
“Some of the causes of the conditions are similar to those in other conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, and our research will determine whether the same drugs that are useful in those diseases can be used in treating pregnancy complications.”
A further £220,000 has been awarded by the Medical Research Council to fellow Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre scientists, Professor John Aplin and Dr Lynda Harris. Their research will focus on an enzyme called MMP-12 and whether blocking its actions may be a therapeutic intervention in complicated pregnancies.
For full press release (26 November 2009) see: Triple grant success for medical researchers
Maternal and Fetal Health on BBC Radio 4
The placenta clinic at the Manchester Maternal and Fetal Health Research Group, the first of its kind in the country, was featured on BBC Radio 4’s Frontiers programme on 16 November.
Move to new St Mary’s Hospital
In June 2009, after eight years of operating in the old St Mary’s Hospital, the Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre moved to the new St Mary’s Hospital. The state of the art research laboratories will allow for more of the clinical and scientific excellence already proven by the centre.
Contact us
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