Post Graduate Course

When & Where

Learn more about the Post Graduate Course below, including the schedule, lecture topics and speakers, or download this information in PDF format (188KB).

About the Course
The post-graduate course organized in conjunction with annual ASRI meetings is an evolving theme and designed to acquaint attendees with new questions and new techniques underlying the normal and abnormal events at the maternal-fetal interface. It is increasingly clear that the immunity, placenta and hormones play a pivotal role in orchestrating in utero embryonic development. There appears to be a composite triad of dynamic equilibrium involving the placental milieu, the fetus and the mother. Thus, the maternal-fetal interface can provide a blueprint for the events that lead to a normal or a compromised pregnancy. Recent revolutionary advances in technical know-how and thematic excellence now make it possible to not only investigate the issues in animals but to transport this knowledge from bench to bedside. This post-graduate course will focus on recent state of the art techniques and themes, including high resolution ultrasound imaging in rodents, use of knock-out/knock-in mice (as a way of looking at molecules important at the maternal-fetal interface), epigenetics, and TLR-vaginal flora issues in preterm birth. Each topic will be lectured by an expert in the respective field. At the end of the course, all participants should be able to:

• Recognize the differences in hemochorial and non-hemochorial placenta, and application of study design.
• Evaluate epigenetics and imprinting in placenta and its clinical relationship.
• Apply recent state-of-the art techniques and themes including high resolution ultrasound imaging in rodents to future study.
• Explain the role of inflammatory immune responses in obstetrical complications such as pre-eclampsia and preterm labor.
• Evaluate the neurological control of inflammatory immune response.

Travel Trainee Award
Trainee awards will be given to the clinical and laboratory scientists in early training stage. Each year, travel awards will be given to fifteen (15) students who are trainees or new investigators whose research involve in clinical science and translational research. NICHD, USDA, and ASRI provide trainee travel funding for this program. Please be sure to apply for this trainee travel award.

Apply for the Trainee Travel Award >>