Pregnancy and Genes - translational research in common obstetric disorders

Principal Investigator

Hannele Laivuori, MD, Adjunct professor
University lecturer (research)
Department of Medical Genetics, and Women’s Health Research Program
Room: B226b (Biomedicum Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8)
Tel: +358 50 415 4871 or +358 2941 25106
hannele.laivuori (at) helsinki.fi

Postdoctoral Fellow

Jenni Heikkinen-Eloranta MD, PhD

Graduate Students

Tia Aalto-Viljakainen, MD
Tea Kaartokallio, MSc
Miira Klemetti, MD
Inkeri Lokki, MSc
Antti Puhakka, MD
Sanna Suomalainen-König, MD
Pia Villa, MD

Undergraduate Students

Elina Huovari
Ulla Korpela, BM
Anjuska Kyllönen, BSc
Kerttu Majander
Anette Sirviö

Laboratory Technician

Susanna Mehtälä

Research Nurses

Eija Kortelainen
Christina Salmen

Laboratory: B309a
Offices: B309a, B337
Tel: +358 2941 28649 (lab), +358 50 415 1699 (research nurse)

Research interests

Pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction and gestational diabetes mellitus are common disorders of pregnancy. The impact of these disorders is not limited to merely obstetric and pediatric domains. They are also associated with increased risk of morbidity in later life of both the mother and the child. We investigate susceptibility genes, molecular mechanisms, risk factors, and implications to later life of these pregnancy disorders.

Funding

• Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation
• The Academy of Finland
• Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation
• The Finnish Medical Foundation
• EU, Seventh Framework Programme (InterPregGen)
• University of Helsinki Helsinki
• University Hospital (EVO funding)
  
  

Selected Publications

• Roberge S, Villa P, Nicolaides K, Giguère Y, Vainio M, Bakthi A, Ebrashy A, Bujold E. Early Administration of Low-Dose Aspirin for the Prevention of Preterm and Term Preeclampsia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Fetal Diagn Ther. 2012 Mar 21. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 22441437.
• Johnson MP, Brennecke SP, East CE, Göring HH, Kent JW Jr, Dyer TD, Said JM, Roten LT, Iversen AC, Abraham LJ, Heinonen S, Kajantie E, Kere J, Kivinen K, Pouta A, Laivuori H; for the FINNPEC Study Group, Austgulen R, Blangero J, Moses EK. Genome-Wide Association Scan Identifies a Risk Locus for Preeclampsia on 2q14, Near the Inhibin, Beta B Gene. PLoS One. 2012;7(3):e33666. Epub 2012 Mar 14. PubMed PMID: 22432041; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3303857.
• Lokki AI, Klemetti MM, Heino S, Hiltunen L, Heinonen S, Laivuori H. Association of the rs1424954 polymorphism of the ACVR2A gene with the risk of pre-eclampsia is not replicated in a Finnish study population. BMC Res Notes. 2011 Dec 19;4:545. PubMed PMID: 22177086; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3267796.
• Peterson H, Laivuori H, Kerkelä E, Jiao H, Hiltunen L, Heino S, Tiala I, Knuutila S, Rasi V, Kere J, Kivinen K. ROCK2 allelic variants are not associated with pre-eclampsia susceptibility in the Finnish population. Mol Hum Reprod. 2009 Jul;15(7):443-9. Epub 2009 May 12. PubMed PMID: 19435756.
• Hiltunen LM, Laivuori H, Rautanen A, Kaaja R, Kere J, Krusius T, Paunio M, Rasi V. Blood group AB and factor V Leiden as risk factors for pre-eclampsia: a population-based nested case-control study. Thromb Res. 2009 Jun;124(2):167-73. Epub 2008 Dec 24. PubMed PMID: 19110300.
  
  

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