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Genes and Healthy Development
The genetic factors we inherit from our parents, together with foetal development in the womb, are critical factors in ensuring a healthy start to life.
Medical research is increasingly demonstrating examples of where biological events that take place well before we are born can influence our health in much later life.
PHI researchers are working to understand the early molecular and cellular events that can have significant consequences on our later health and fertility.
These PHI Laboratories have a focus on genes and healthy development:
- Sex Determination & Gonadal Development is seeking answers to the 80% of currently unexplained cases of children who are born with Disorders of Sex Development.
Bone, Joint & Cancer is identifying the developmental pathways that are required to build bone and limit bone destruction.
Reproductive Development & Cancer is studying some of the essential factors for the proper formation of organs such as ovaries, testis and kidney.
Embryo Implantation , Implantation & Placental Development & Endometrial Remodelling are understanding the biological environment required for an embryo to develop and grow successfully in the womb.
Brain & Gender is understanding the relationship between male specific genes and brain conditions.
Growth Factor Signalling is developing reagents for promoting muscle growth in a variety of myopathies, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Clinical Andrology is working with men who have chromosomal conditions which affect their fertility.