Introduction
A hydatidiform mole (or molar pregnancy) is an aberrant human pregnancy with no embryo that has fascinated and puzzled scientists in all civilizations. This condition is of ancient recognition and its description figures in Hippocrates’ manuals. The sporadic form of hydatidiform moles is common and occurs in 1 in every 600 pregnancies in western countries, but at higher frequencies in other parts of the world.
The research activities of my group are focused on the identification of novel genes for various forms of female reproductive failure, namely recurrent hydatidiform mole, recurrent miscarriage, and infertility, and elucidating their functions and the mechanisms by which they lead to these conditions.
Our goals are to improve current understanding of the genetics of female reproductive failure and translate the new knowledge into new DNA tests to diagnose these conditions and be able to provide the patients with better management options based on the knowledge of their defective genes.
