Objective Altered fetal growth patterns, i.e. reduced growth in utero (intrauterine growth restriction, IUGR) are associated with perinatal morbidity as well as adverse consequences in adult life, e.g. cardiovascular disease. A prevailing hypothesis regarding the pathogenesis of reduced growth in utero is the “ischemic model” where abnormal placental bed vascular pathology with reduced nutrient and oxygen delivery to the intervillus space as a result of diminished placental perfusion contributes to suboptimal fetal growth in the second half of pregnancy. Amino acids are an important nutrient during fetal development and their concentration and placental transport are significantly lower in growth-restricted infants. Recent studies indicate that a variety of signals such as adenosine are produced in response to hypoxia in tissues and are higher in women with preeclampsia and growth-restricted infants. However, to date there is little information about the role of adenosine in pregnancy and the placenta. Therefore, the focus of this proposal is to investigate the effect and mechanism of the hypoxia-inducible signal adenosine on placental development and placental amino acid transport. Fields of science medical and health sciencesclinical medicineobstetricsfetal medicinemedical and health sciencesclinical medicinecardiologycardiovascular diseasesmedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepathologynatural scienceschemical sciencesorganic chemistryamines Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG - Marie Curie Action: "Reintegration Grants" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IRG - International Re-integration Grants (IRG) Coordinator MEDIZINISCHE HOCHSCHULE HANNOVER Address Carl-neuberg-strasse 1 30625 Hannover Germany See on map Region Niedersachsen Hannover Region Hannover Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Cornelia Gausmann (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution € 75 000,00