Laboratory: Placenta in Health and Disease, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology,
Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University
FOCUS AND RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Our laboratory is dedicated to advancing the understanding of prenatal development, with a specific research focus on neuroplacentology and the intricate interplay of the placenta-brain axis. With expertise spanning placental biology, genetics, biochemistry, physiology, and clinical research, our team aims to decipher the impact of maternal-fetal interactions on fetal brain development and programming. A pivotal aspect of our investigations revolves around comprehending the multifaceted roles of the placenta, including hormone and neurotransmitter production and degradation. Recent evidence has illuminated the developmental origins of various adult brain disorders, highlighting the pivotal role of in utero neurotransmitter signaling in shaping optimal fetal brain wiring. Building upon this foundation, our research in the past three years has centered on unraveling the delicate equilibrium of monoamine homeostasis within the fetoplacental unit. Notably, our team was the first to identify a novel placental monoamine uptake by the organic cation transporter 3, shedding light on the intricate mechanisms governing fetal brain development. We aim to continue to broaden our understanding of the placenta-brain axis and its significance in shaping lifelong neurological outcomes.