jo james

A/P James leads a research group focussed on the use of placental stem cells the placenta is built from (both trophoblast and villous core progenitors) to understand how changes in cell differentiation and function underpin poor placental growth and function. She also co-leads the Pregnancy Modelling Group (with A/P Alys Clark, Auckland Bioengineering Institute), which combines in vitro experiments, in vivo imaging data and in silico modelling approaches to develop ‘virtual pregnancy’ models to better understand how the anatomical differences seen in fetal growth restriction impact how blood flows to, around, and within the placenta, which in turn can affect how nutrients and oxygen reach baby. She is working to use this understanding to help improve our ability to predict which pregnancies are at risk of fetal growth restriction, and identify ways to therapeutically improve placental function in at risk pregnancies.