How placental transport proteins move medicines and nutrients to the baby
Integrated Transporter Elucidation Center
This project tests how placenta transporter proteins carry medicines and nutrients between pregnant people and their babies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11412761 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From your perspective as a pregnant person, researchers are studying the proteins in the placenta that actively move drugs and nutrients to the fetus. They will analyze samples from a U.S. birth cohort using precise protein measurements and genetic testing, and run laboratory experiments to understand transporter behavior. The team will combine those data with computer models to predict how different medicines or supplements affect fetal nutrient delivery. Findings aim to guide safer medication and nutrition choices during pregnancy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are pregnant people willing to provide pregnancy information and biological samples (for example blood or placental tissue) as part of a birth-cohort study.
Not a fit: People who are not pregnant or who cannot provide pregnancy-related samples are unlikely to be directly involved or benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help doctors choose safer medications and improve nutrient delivery strategies during pregnancy.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show placental transporters influence drug and nutrient transfer, but combining targeted proteomics, genetics, and predictive modeling across a birth cohort is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences — Newark, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Aleksunes, Lauren M — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Aleksunes, Lauren M
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 below.