Research focus
The overall aim of my research will be to use human endometrial organoids to study how systemic metabolic states, maternal nutrition, and hormonal signals influence implantation and placental/foetal development.
Background and experience
I did my undergraduate (BS-MS) at Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata. During my masters, I focussed on this protein called hCTR1 (human Copper Transporter 1), which is a copper importer trying to understand, how this protein binds and regulates copper entry into the cell thereby helping to maintain copper homeostasis. Next, I came to Cambridge and joined the St Johnston Lab at the Gurdon Institute as a PhD student, where I employed state-of-the-art live-cell imaging to visualise polarised membrane trafficking in real time.
Working at the IMS-MRL
A healthy pregnancy begins long before a baby starts to grow. The uterus must first prepare itself to welcome and support an embryo. This preparation involves changes in the cells that line the uterus, guided by hormones and influenced by the mother’s overall health. Poor maternal nutrition can interfere with these changes and increase the risk of pregnancy complications. To study this, I use lab-grown models of the human uterine lining, which allow us to closely examine how the uterus and early embryo communicate. This work aims to improve our understanding of early pregnancy and foetal development and the biological reasons behind adverse pregnancy outcomes in case of maternal undernutrition.
