Jenna Schmidt

Molecular mechanisms underlying primate embryo and placental development.

My lab’s research focuses on advancing women’s health by using nonhuman primate models. Our overall objective is to improve human pregnancy outcomes by identifying genetic factors contributing to infertility and placental complications and by developing targeted therapeutics to improve reproductive outcomes. We use genome editing tools to create genetic models of human disease in nonhuman primate cells and embryos for functionally assessing genotype to phenotype associations. We are using these tools to investigate the regulation of placental miRNA expression and the impact of aberrant miRNA expression on trophoblast function. Often placental complications are diagnosed in mid- to late gestation, however, treatments and therapeutics to improve human placental health are limited. In collaborative efforts, we are evaluating placenta-targeted treatments to improve placental health as well as fetal and maternal well-being.

Publications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1nKG5KEkghGky/bibliography/public/