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Embryo Implantation
Laboratory Head
Eva Dimitriadis PhD
> Profile
About this Laboratory
This laboratory is understanding how the endometrium prepares itself for implantation and how a healthy placenta develops. Further, it is exploring woman based contraceptives that can also prevent sexually transmitted diseases. A new focus is on the development of novel treatments for endometrial cancer.
Related to Research Themes
Cancer , Genes & Healthy Development , Women's Health
Current Research
Endometrial-placental interactions & healthy pregnancy - Successful implantation of a human embryo into the maternal endometrium leads to a healthy placenta and a healthy baby. Impaired implantation results in inadequate placentation and can lead to miscarriage, preeclampsia and even maternal death. We aim to determine how fetal-trophoblast cells interact to invade through the maternal endometrium to form a healthy placenta.
Implantation factors, fertility and IVF - The failure of a human embryo to implant in an adequately prepared maternal endometrium (receptive endometrium) results in infertility. There is no way of diagnosing endometrial infertility. We have identified critical factors that prepare the endometrium for implantation and are now investigating precisely how these proteins regulate endometrial receptivity.
Female contraceptives that also block STDs - We have demonstrated that blocking the action of two cytokines with unique inhibitors results in total pregnancy failure in mice. We are currently investigating the effect of delivering these cytokine inhibitors with agents that also block sexually transmitted diseases including HIV on pregnancy outcome.
New treatments for endometrial cancer - Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecological malignancy. It typically affects postmenopausal women however a significant increased risk occurs in women over 40 years old. Current treatment options for advanced disease are inadequate. We have identified proteins that may be important in disease progression and are determining the effect of targeting these proteins with specific inhibitors as novel treatments.