Reproductive and Developmental Medicine
The Reproductive and Developmental Medicine theme investigates the fertility of men and women, with a strong focus on the biology of sperm, eggs and other reproductive tissues.
According to RAND Europe, we’ve produced nearly 10% of the “Highly Cited Publications” worldwide in Andrology (male reproductive health). We also have expertise of using novel technology to diagnose problems during pregnancy and we are experts in the diagnosis and management of pre-term birth. Currently we are leading a major Global Challenge initiative in this area aimed at improving the lives of women and babies around the world.
Meet the team
- Professor Dilly Anumba
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Email: d.o.c.anumba@sheffield.ac.uk
I investigate the physiology of human parturition, particularly the role of immunity and inflammation in term/preterm labour and pregnancy complications such as hypertension, fetal growth restriction and stillbirth. I am also investigating new techniques to predict preterm birth by the detection of cervical remodelling changes as well as changes in the vaginal microbiome and metabolome. I run specialist clinics in Prenatal Diagnosis and Fetal Therapy, Prematurity Prevention, and High-Risk Pregnancy, all of which have research spin-offs.
- Dr Neil Chapman
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Email: n.r.chapman@sheffield.ac.uk
Research focuses on learning how the womb reads its genome book when such inflammatory chemicals are present. Also, interest in finding out which parts of the book (i.e. which genes) the womb cells use before labour starts, when there is very little inflammation around, because understanding this change may allow us to understand how the womb muscle cells start contracting too early in some women who then go into labour prematurely.
- Professor Alireza Fazeli
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Email: a.fazeli@sheffield.ac.uk
I am interested in the cross-talk between gametes and embryos, and the maternal tract. Since the innate immune system plays a major role in this communication I am keen to understand how the innate immunity is involved in this maternal communication.
- Dr Mark Fenwick
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Email: m.a.fenwick@sheffield.ac.uk
The ovary is an incredibly dynamic organ that is constantly producing and responding to internal molecular ‘cues’. Both environmental and genetic factors can exert influences on these internal signals, leading to dysregulation or failure of oocytes to develop. We are interested in understanding how these cues (i) coordinate the development of oocytes for ovulation and (ii) produce steroid hormones for other reproductive processes.
- Dr Brenda Narice
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Email: B.F.Narice@sheffield.ac.uk
- Dr Victoria Parker
- Dr Elspeth Whitby
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Email: e.whitby@sheffield.ac.uk
Imaging of the neonate with MR and imaging of the post-mortem fetus and neonate with MR in both the research and clinical settings.