PROJECT
Preeclampsia
Uncovering the genetic link to preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy condition in which a patient develops new-onset high blood pressure and protein in the urine. It typically occurs in the second half of two to seven per cent of all pregnancies.
Unfortunately, there are no reliable predictive tests at present, nor effective treatments, other than delivery of the baby and the placenta.
Preeclampsia has found to be associated with other poor health outcomes for both mother and baby, including the development of cardiovascular disease later in life.
Like many other common human diseases, there is a large genetic involvement in the risk of developing preeclampsia.
Although a number of preeclampsia susceptibility genes have been identified, there remains a missing heritability for preeclampsia and genetic analysis of preeclampsia.
We are continuing the search for preeclampsia susceptibility genes by taking full advantage of recent advances in genomic analysis, including whole genome sequencing of transcriptomics and methylomics.
By using the whole genome sequence of families in the ‘Australian Preeclampsia Genetics Family Study’, we hope to make a breakthrough in preeclampsia research.
Through our research, led by Professor Eric Moses, our goal is to identify functional genetic variants associated with preeclampsia and gain a new understanding of the aetiology of preeclampsia to help identify women at higher risk.
PhD opportunities
Opportunities are available to work on this project, tailored to suit an honours, master’s or PhD project scope.
The project does not involve lab work and would suit a student interested in pursuing a research interest in statistical genetics.
A good understanding of statistics (e.g. use of SPSS or R) and some programming experience would be an advantage.
If you meet the eligibility criteria and would like to discuss a proposal, contact Professor Eric Moses.
View more PhD opportunitiesReadings
If you are interested in further research into the field of preeclampsia and its connection to genetics, you may find these papers interesting:
- Yong, H. E. J., P. Murthi, S. P. Brennecke and E. K. Moses (2018). Genetic Approaches in Preeclampsia. In: Murthi P., Vaillancourt C. (eds) Preeclampsia. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1710. Humana Press, New York, NY.
- Johnson, M. P., L. T. Roten, T. D. Dyer, C. E. East, S. Forsmo, J. Blangero, S. P. Brennecke, R. Austgulen and E. K. Moses (2009). “The ERAP2 gene is associated with preeclampsia in Australian and Norwegian populations.” Hum Genet 126(5): 655-666.
- Roten, L. T., M. P. Johnson, S. Forsmo, E. Fitzpatrick, T. D. Dyer, S. P. Brennecke, J. Blangero, E. K. Moses and R. Austgulen (2009). “Association between the candidate susceptibility gene ACVR2A on chromosome 2q22 and pre-eclampsia in a large Norwegian population-based study (the HUNT study).” Eur J Hum Genet 17(2): 250-257.
- Moses, E. K., J. A. Lade, G. Guo, A. N. Wilton, M. Grehan, K. Freed, A. Borg, J. D. Terwilliger, R. North, D. W. Cooper and S. P. Brennecke (2000). “A genome scan in families from Australia and New Zealand confirms the presence of a maternal susceptibility locus for pre-eclampsia, on chromosome 2.” Am J Hum Genet 67(6): 1581-1585.
Collaborations
We work with the following institutes in conducting our research.
Funding
We have received significant research funding for our investigations into preeclampsia susceptibility genes, including from national health funding bodies in Australia and the United States. This funding includes:
- NHRMC Project Grant 1053152, 2013-2015 Identification of protein altering variants influencing preeclampsia risk
- NIH Research Project 3R01HD049847-05S1, 2010-2011 Identification of pre-eclampsia susceptibility genes
- NIH Research Project 1R01HD049847-01A2, 2006-2011 Identification of pre-eclampsia susceptibility genes