Course summary

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology has two broad areas of research activity. The first covers the use of large population databases to identify key predictive features associated with human pregnancy, such as intrauterine growth restriction, preterm labour and perinatal death. The second major area focuses on the cellular and molecular aspects of the growth of the placenta and its interaction with the endometrium. This includes a detailed investigation of the immune dialogue occurring between the fetal and maternal compartments. Genetic and epigenetic modulation of placental function is also a key area within this field. Modern genomic methods are utilised in both human and genetically manipulated animal models. An additional aspect of this work focuses on the development of blood vessels in all tissues but focusing on those in the endometrium and placenta. This interdisciplinary work involves complex teams of molecular and cellular biologists, anatomists, mathematicians, bioinformaticians, statisticians and clinician-scientists. The course introduces students to research skills and specialist knowledge. Its main aims are:

• to give students with relevant experience at first-degree level the opportunity to carry out focused research in the discipline under close supervision; and

• to give students the opportunity to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests.