This research group studies development of the placenta and its role in the aetiology of major obstetric complications including, intrauterine growth restriction and stillbirth. A major focus of the group is understanding how creatine in the maternal diet, and its production by the placenta, influences pregnancy outcomes.

By studying the embryo and using micro-manipulation this group investigate the intricate relationship between the fetus and placenta. Differential development of the placenta in males and females is investigated, to understand the vulnerability of males to complications of pregnancy and birth.

How early life events, such as intrauterine growth restriction and birth asphyxia, impact on development of the fetus, affecting adult health and fertility is a research strength of this team.

A recent discovery of the only known menstruating rodent, the spiny mouse, provides an unprecedented opportunity to improve research into menstrual disorders, such as endometriosis and PMS. This team have sequenced and assembled the transcriptome of the spiny mouse and are characterising the genetics of this species.

Collaborators

Dr Kirsten Palmer – Monash Health
Professor Peter Temple-Smith – Dept Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University
Professor Tony Papenfuss – WEHI
Professor Beverley Vollenhoven – Monash Health
A/Professor Ashley Siefert – University of Kentucky
Professor Rod Snow – Deakin University
Professor Karen Moritz – University of Queensland
Professor David Walker -RMIT

Research Projects

• Fetal growth restriction
• Preeclampsia
• Amnion cell therapies

Research Group

• Dr Stacey Ellery, Research Scientist
• Dr Neville Fields, PhD Student
• Dr Jennifer Yo, PhD Student

Selected publications

• Ellery SJ, Murthi P, Gatta PAD, May AK, Davies-Tuck ML, Kowalski GM, Callahan DL, Bruce CR, Wallace EM, Walker DW, Dickinson H, Snow RJ (2020) The Effects of Early-Onset Pre-Eclampsia on Placental Creatine Metabolism in the Third Trimester. Int J Mol Sci.;21(3):806.

• de Guingand DL, Palmer KR, Bilardi JE, Ellery SJ (2020) Acceptability of dietary or nutritional supplementation in pregnancy (ADONS) – Exploring the consumer’s perspective on introducing creatine monohydrate as a pregnancy supplement. Midwifery; 82:102599.

• Ellery SJ, Murthi P, Davies-Tuck ML, Della Gatta PA, May AK, Kowalski GM, Callahan DL, Bruce CR, Alers NO, Miller SL, Erwich JJHM, Wallace EM, Walker DW, Dickinson H, Snow RJ (2019) Placental creatine metabolism in cases of placental insufficiency and reduced fetal growth. Mol Hum Reprod. 25(8):495-505.

• De Guingand DL, Ellery SJ, Davies-Tuck ML, Dickinson H (2019) Creatine and pregnancy outcomes, a prospective cohort study in low-risk pregnant women: study protocol. BMJ Open. 9(1):e026756.

• Marshall SA, Cox AG, Parry LJ, Wallace EM (2018). Targeting the vascular dysfunction: Potential treatments for preeclampsia. Microcirculation. e12522

• Selvaratnam RJ, Wallace EM, Flenady V, Davey MA.  Risk factor assessment for fetal growth restriction, are we providing best care? (2020) Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol.

• Selvaratnam RJ, Davey MA, Mol BW, Wallace EM.  Increasing obstetric intervention for fetal growth restriction is shifting birthweight centiles: a retrospective cohort study (2020) BJOG.

• Langston-Cox A, Anderson D, Creek DJ, Palmer K, Wallace EM, Marshall SA (2020). Measuring Sulforaphane and Its Metabolites in Human Plasma: A High Throughput Method Molecules. 25(4):829.

• Langston-Cox AG, Marshall SA, Palmer KR, Wallace EM (2019) Prolong: a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial of broccoli sprout extract in women with early onset preeclampsia. A clinical trial protocol. BMJ Open. 9(10):e027493. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027493.

• Bellofiore N, Ellery SJ, Mamrot J, Walker DW, Temple-Smith P, Dickinson H. First evidence of a menstruating rodent: the spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus) (2017). Am J Obstet Gynecol. 216(1):40.e1-40.e11