Projects
Models of the Mechanobiology of Uterine Smooth Muscle Cells
PIs: Joyce Wong, Ph.D. and Catherine Klapperich, Ph.D., Graduate Students: Isabella Claure (BME PhD)
Throughout pregnancy, uterine tissues undergo significant spatiotemporal remodeling regulated by endocrine and mechanical cues. Our aim is to leverage engineered microenvironments to advance our understanding of these processes and guide therapeutic design. Current work is focused on the underlying mechanisms of preterm labor and postpartum hemorrhaging as it pertains to uterine smooth muscle cell phenotype and function.
Hormonal Mechanisms of Leiomyoma (Uterine Fibroid) Growth in Early Pregnancy and Perimenopause
PI: Catherine Klapperich, Ph.D., Graduate Students: Lena Landaverde (BME PhD) and Laura Thurber (BME MS)
Fibroids are benign tumors found in the uterus and are the most common tumor in the female genital tract, resulting in symptoms that are often confused with other conditions, including heavy menstrual bleeding, increased uterine size, and chronic pelvic pain. Current treatments do not target the root cause of the symptoms. Our research aims to bridge the knowledge gap between fibroid molecular phenotype and symptoms. We use fibroid organoids made from patient derived stem cells to probe these biological questions. Future work includes developing a fibroid organoid library for open access.
A Microfluidic Model of Sprial Artery Remodeling in the Placenta
PIs: Catherine Klapperich, Ph.D. and Joyce Wong, Ph.D., Graduate Student: Sebastian Naranjo (BME PhD)
Spiral artery remodeling (SAR) is critical process during pregnancy—where invasive placental cells (EVT) remodel maternal vasculature to meet metabolic needs of the growing fetus in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Dysregulation of SAR is the most prevalent mechanistic hypothesis for the development of preeclampsia. However, current tissue models are unable to emulate the dynamic SAR microenvironment. We aim to develop a microfluidic SAR model to spatiotemporally quantitate native and pathophysiological structure-function relationships.
A Multiplexed Isothermal Point of Care Test for Placental Malaria, Chlaymidia, and Gonorrhea
PI: Catherine Klapperich, Ph.D., Graduate Student: Joshua Dupaty (BME PhD)
Malaria in pregnancy (MIP) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are significant preventable causes of poor pregnancy outcomes. Implementation of a user friendly, single sample, multiplexed point of care (POC) device using our novel isothermal molecular amplification technique to detect identical multi-repeat sequences (iso-IMRS) will allow for earlier and more sensitive detection of MIP, CT, and NG in prenatal populations in areas with endemic malaria. The multiplexed assay will be streamlined and validated for use in clinical settings in conjunction with our collaborators in Kenya.