Reproductive Science Research Theme
The aim of the Reproductive Science Strategic Theme is to integrate research activity in human reproductive medicine and biology, focusing on infertility, foetal loss, foetal development, preterm birth and neonatal brain damage.
The establishment of the Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology (IRDB) at Imperial College London has provided a laboratory centre and strategic coordination for this multidisciplinary clinical and basic research.
Recent achievements in the theme of Reproductive Science include the identification genes essential for ovulation and neural tube formation, and the genes responsible for cleft palate. Clinical trials of new treatments for early pregnancy loss and preterm delivery have also been successful.
Strategic Theme Leader for Reproduction Research: Professor Stephen Franks (s.franks@imperial.ac.uk)
Visualisation of the invasion of the uterus by bacteria, using a genetic fluorescent probe (courtesy of Ilpo Huhtaniemi).
