Table 1 Normal Gestational Biology
Overarching Goal: To gain comprehensive knowledge of the biology and regulation of human gestational biology in order to identify pathways and critical junctures to facilitate prediction and prevention of preterm birth and stillbirth | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Â | Milestones* | Â | |||
Output | Post-Conference (by 2010) | Short-Term (by 2012) | Intermediate (by 2015) | Long-Term (beyond 2015) | Success Metrics |
A. Define phenotype of normal pregnancy | 1. Systematic review of existing knowledge 2. Develop "best guess" phenotype of normal gestation | 3. Prospective tissue repository of normal gestation 4. Utilize "systems biology" technology 5. Identify critical biomarkers, including those governing parturitional stages and biomarkers of placentation, fetal growth and development | 6. Develop "lateral flow" multi-analyte diagnostic platforms 7. Begin application of diagnostic tools in LMICs | 8. Validate multi-analyte platforms for both HICs and LMICs | • Comprehensive atlas of normal human gestation • Web-based tool for providers and patients |
B. Develop animal and in-silico models of normal parturition | 1. Systematic review of existing knowledge | 2. Explore and develop animal models including genetically altered mice, non-human primates, others 3. Computer modeling 4. Integrate modeling with animal models | 5. Validate models 6. Predict outcome based on modeling | 7. Use models to predict therapeutic targets and treatments | • Improved animal models to identify key regulatory steps • Enhanced use of in-silico models |
C. Define regulators and mechanisms governing stages of parturition | 1. Systematic review of existing knowledge | 2. Identify critical biomarkers governing parturitional stages and transitions | 3. Identify potential therapeutic targets for treatment of PTL 4. Develop therapeutic interventions based upon selected targets 5. Collaborate with Intervention Development to prioritize potential therapeutic interventions | 6. Develop therapeutic interventions based upon selected targets and scaling feasibility | • Identify novel therapeutic and diagnostic targets • Web-based tool for providers and patients |