- Professor and Matthew Flinders Fellow, Flinders University
A number of pathologies of pregnancy, including up to 50% of miscarriages, preeclampsia (hypertension and proteinuria in pregnancy), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), preterm labour, unexplained stillbirth and placental abruption are characterised by impaired placental differentiation and function. Together these conditions affect more than one quarter of pregnant women in developed societies. Our laboratory takes a "bench to bedside" approach to discovery and solving clinical problems in pregnancy that have their origins in placental development and maternal adaptation to pregnancy. We undertake basic cellular and molecular experiments to elucidate mechanisms that govern normal and abnormal placental development. We also have a strong focus on identifying genetic, nutritional, lifestyle and clinical factors that associate with pregnancy outcome in the SCOPE, PAPO and STOP pregnancy cohorts. Current projects include prediction of pregnancy complications, the role of micronutrients in placental development and pregnancy success, ZIKA virus infection in pregnancy, fetal sex differences in the human placental transcriptome, miRnome and methylome, that is, genome wide control of gene expression, and long term health in women and their children after pregnancy complications.
Experience
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2020–presentProfessor and Matthew Flinders Fellow, Flinders University
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2020–presentAdjunct Professor, University of Adelaide
Education
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1995University of Adelaide, PhD
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1990University of Adelaide, BSc (Hons)
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1985Flinders University, BA
Grants and Contracts
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2023Using complex models of human trophoblast to study placental biology and disease NHMRC Fiona Stanley Synergy Grant
- Role:
- CIB
- Funding Source:
- National Health and Medical Research Council
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2020The Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System (RAAS) in Hypertensive Patients with COVID-19
- Role:
- CIA
- Funding Source:
- FHMRI
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2020Limiting the impact of underlying respiratory conditions to reduce COVID-19 death rates
- Role:
- CIB
- Funding Source:
- Flinders University
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2019Pregnancy Health and Beyond
- Role:
- Leadership Fellow
- Funding Source:
- National Health and Medical Research Council
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2019Targeting micronutrients to tackle pregnancy disorders: an integrated approach
- Role:
- CIA
- Funding Source:
- National Health and Medical Research Council
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2019Prediction and Prevention of Preeclampsia
- Role:
- CIB
- Funding Source:
- The Hospital Research Foundation
Contact Claire for
- General
- Media request
- Speaking request
- Consulting / Advising
- Research collaboration
- Research supervision
- Location: Adelaide, Australia
- Website
- X (formerly Twitter): @clairetroberts
- Article Feed
- ORCID
- Joined