Maternal, Newborn, and Adolescent Health

Euan Wallace of The Ritchie Centre in Australia proposes to test the antioxidant melatonin as a simple and inexpensive intervention to reduce birth-related brain injury.

Gérrard Poinern of Murdoch University in Australia will develop and test an implantable subcutaneous device made from same calcium mineral that bones are made of, which will release contraceptive drugs in a sustained and controlled way for a period of months. Creating of this device uses ultrasound and microwave technology, allowing for eventual low-cost manufacture in developing countries.

William Phillips, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio will test the feasibility of developing a vaginal tablet containing adhesive microcapsules that would adhere to the vaginal wall and release spermicidal agents upon contact with semen as a method for contraception.

Michael Skinner of Washington State University in the U.S. will optimize and test a compound that has been shown to impair the functioning of the Sertoli cell, which enables the production and maturation of sperm. Understanding this compound could lead to the development of a reversible, long-lasting male contraceptive pill.

John Ngai and Scott Laughlin of the University of California, Berkeley in the U.S. seek to identify chemical compounds in the female reproductive system that guide sperm cells to the egg. By characterizing these "odorants," synthetic versions can be produced and administered to disrupt this navigation system thus inhibiting fertilization.

S.K. Dey of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in the U.S. will test the hypothesis that the protein mTor, which regulates cell growth and survival, plays a critical role in premature uterine aging that lead to preterm birth, difficult labor and fetal death. This research could lead to the development of new strategies to combat preterm birth.

Beth Kolko of the University of Washington in the U.S. will build on recent research that has revealed that current portable ultrasound devices are often too complex for rural midwives in developing countries to use, and will develop instead a streamlined, inexpensive device with limited functionality, a simplified user interface, and a contextual help system. The prototype will be field tested with midwives in Uganda.

Irina Buhimschi of Yale University in the U.S. will optimize for developing world use a simple diagnostic urine test that uses the synthetic dye "Congo Red" to stain misfolded proteins that have been recently found to be excreted in the urine of women either suffering from or at high risk for preeclampsia. Identifying these proteins could lead to earlier treatment and lower rates of maternal deaths.

Neil Euliano of Convergent Engineering in the U.S. is developing and testing a maternal-fetal monitoring system that uses reusable capacitive sensors and smart phones that provide early diagnosis for preeclampsia, labor dystocia, and the presence of preterm labor. The system allows time for transportation of these complicated deliveries to a capable facility.

Charles (Skip) Smith of Seattle Children's Hospital in the U.S. seeks to develop a low cost pulmonary surfactant that can be administered by minimally educated health care workers to premature infants as they are being born as a means to avoid infant intubation as well as injury to premature lungs.