Saxena Lab

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Genetics of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes

  • What maternal and fetal genetic factors cause preeclampsia?
  • How does preeclampsia relate to cardiometabolic risk factors and outcomes?
  • What genetic factors contribute to post-partum hemorrhage?
  • What maternal and fetal genetic factors cause preeclampsia?
  • How does preeclampsia relate to cardiometabolic risk factors and outcomes?
  • What genetic factors contribute to post-partum hemorrhage?

Adverse pregnancy outcomes preeclampsia and post-partum hemorrhage impacts millions of women and babies, but have been poorly investigated using genetic approaches. Preeclampsia increases risk of cardiometabolic diseases. We are using genetic and omic approaches to investigate maternal and fetal contributions to understand the pathophysiology of these diseases.

Projects

Genetics of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH)

In this project, we are studying the genetics of PPH to identify molecular mechanisms underlying PPH and elucidate the underlying pathophysiology.

Multi-omics for precision medicine in preeclampsia

This project aims to discover common and rare variants for preeclampsia, identify molecular pathways altered before clinically defined disease using multi-omics analysis, and use PE polygenic scores to predict maternal morbidity and future maternal cardiovascular health.

News

Publications

Risk of pre-eclampsia in patients with a maternal genetic predisposition to common medical conditions: a case-control study

Publication Date: September 14, 2020
Journal: British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Gene-Centric Analysis of Preeclampsia Identifies Maternal Association at PLEKHG1

Publication Date: July 2, 2018
Journal: Hypertension

Genetic predisposition to preeclampsia is conferred by fetal DNA variants near FLT1, a gene involved in the regulation of angiogenesis

Publication Date: November 11, 2017
Journal: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology