How nutrients affect placental development in pregnancy
Official title: Mitochondrial nutrient transport and trophoblast differentiation
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11180485 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how diabetes and obesity during pregnancy can affect the placenta's development, which is important for a healthy baby, and it aims to find out how certain nutrients might play a role in this process to help improve care for expectant moms facing these challenges.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $524,804 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD113553-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11180485 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women who have diabetes or obesity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without diabetes or obesity, or those not currently pregnant, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how diabetes and obesity during pregnancy disrupt the normal development of the placenta, which is crucial for a healthy pregnancy. It focuses on the differentiation of specific cells in the placenta that are responsible for nutrient transport and hormone production. By examining the roles of glucose and glutamine in these processes, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms that lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to improved management of pregnancies affected by these conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better strategies for preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with diabetes and obesity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding metabolic processes in placental development can lead to significant advancements in maternal-fetal health.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wernimont, Sarah a — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Wernimont, Sarah a
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.