Seminar Series - Thaddeus Golos, PhD

Professor 

University of Wisconsin – Madison 

Department of Comparative Biosciences 

Reproductive Tract Targets of Listeria monocytogenes in Early Pregnancy” 

The placenta universally provides essential nutritional and metabolic support for mammalian fetal growth and development, however its histology, endocrine, and immunological function is remarkably diverse across mammalian orders. We use nonhuman primates as the closest model to human placentation to study placental function related to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Our primary current study is with Listeria monocytogenes, a food-borne pathogen that is associated with stillbirth and fetal morbidity and mortality. Our work with macaques has shown that the maternal-fetal interface is highly sensitive to first trimester infection, with both the decidua and the placental being rapidly (within 5 days) colonized by bacteria, and fetal demise occurring 1-2 weeks following maternal ingestion of bacteria. We are evaluating the impact of maternal Listeria immunity on pregnancy loss, the ontogeny of infection, the reproductive tract-specific immune response to infection, and how the maternal-fetal interface is so efficiently targeted. This model will allow development of advanced imaging technology for predicting adverse outcomes, and provide a paradigm for understanding the impact of other infectious agents on maternal as well as fetal well-being. 

Thursday, March 24, 2016 

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM 

1425 BPS (Videoconference to 438 Secchia Center) 

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