Preeclampsia

Researchers have uncovered the molecular details of how ancient viral DNA controls a gene linked to preeclampsia. The study, published in “Genome Biology,” builds on previous research and may lead to a diagnostic test to identify preeclampsia risk much earlier.

A collaboration led by Max Delbrück Center and University of Bath has uncovered how ancient viral DNA controls a gene linked to placenta development and pre-eclampsia, a life-threatening pregnancy disorder. The research, published in “Genome Biology,” could help identify pre-eclampsia risk much earlier.

Preeclampsia is one of the most common pregnancy-related complications. Florian Herse of the Max Delbrück Center and Martin Gauster of the Medical University of Graz are studying the role that Hofbauer cells play in the disorder. They have been awarded a D-A-CH grant totaling €700,000 for their research.

There are few pregnancy diseases as life-threatening as preeclampsia. But the danger doesn’t end after birth: Mothers with preeclamptic pregnancies have a much higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease later in life. Kristin Kräker from the Experimental and Clinical Research Center is working on an early warning system.

Two studies from the research team led by Dominik Müller and Ralf Dechend have been granted the American Heart Association’s Paul Dudley White International Scholar Award. One of the lead authors is also the winner of the Dr. Sabine Oberhauser Prize.

Nadine Haase has received this year’s Hypertension Research Award of the German Society of Nephrology. The ECRC researcher discovered a potential agent for treating preeclampsia.

Researchers at the ECRC have successfully used RNA molecules to treat a dangerous pregnancy disorder called preeclampsia. They were able to alleviate common symptoms of the disorder, like maternal high blood pressure and fetal undernutrition, with virtually no side effects.

The research team compared placental tissue samples and the genetic makeup of patients with...

In the womb, the fetus receives the nourishment it requires via the placenta. It is here that the...