The rate of cancer and cancer malignancy differ greatly among mammalian species. The placental – maternal interface is also highly variable between placental mammals. This lecture will discuss recent advances that suggest that there is a causal connection between the evolution of placental biology and the biology and rate of cancer malignancy. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40694]

Experts discuss recent advances in how maternal health and immune function during pregnancy affect infant development and long-term outcomes. Research focuses on immune adaptations, complications like preterm birth, and neuroimmune pathways, using techniques such as mass cytometry, spatial proteomics, and chemogenetics to identify biomarkers and mechanisms that guide prevention and treatment strategies. Sandy Ramos, M.D.

Clinical Landscape and OGRS Opportunities

Louise Laurent, M.D.,Ph.D.

Single-Cell and Spatial Multi-Omic Insights into the Human Placenta (HUBMAP)

Marni Jacobs, Ph.D.

The MOM-Health Study and the MOHD Consortium

Lars Bode, Ph.D.

Human Milk Institute (HMI)

Gretchen Bandoli, Ph.D.

MotherToBaby

Ina Stelzer, Ph.D.

Reproductive Immunology

Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40666]

Explore key aspects of aging and menopause, focusing on women’s health and how biological changes impact overall well-being. Experts discuss current research on healthy aging, including the role of physical activity, brain health, and hormone changes during menopause. They highlight how sex differences affect diseases like Alzheimer’s and emphasize the importance of personalized approaches to treatment and prevention. The presentation also underscores ongoing studies and resources aimed at improving the quality of life for aging women through better understanding and support

Linda Brubaker, M.D.,M.S.

Clinical Landscape and OGRS Opportunities

Amanda Lewis, Ph.D.

Glycobiology (GLOW)

Andrea LaCroix, Ph.D.

Healthy Aging After Menopause

Anthony Molina, Ph.D.

Stein Institute for Research on Aging

Sarah Banks, Ph.D.

Alzheimer in Women

Emily Lukacz, M.D.,M.A.S.

Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium and Pelvic Floor Disorders Network (PFDN)

Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40668]

Menstruation is the cyclical shedding of the endometrium triggered by falling progesterone levels. Menstruation is a rare trait found in less than 2% of mammals and likely evolved independently at least 4 times. Why do some mammals menstruate while most do not? The leading hypothesis is that menstruation occurs as a nonadaptive consequence of spontaneous decidualization of the endometrium, which evolved to increase biosensoring of embryo quality. While the trait of spontaneous decidualization (and as a byproduct, menstruation) was likely shaped by natural selection, menstruation also disposes women to conditions such as endometriosis, pre-menstrual syndrome, and bleeding disorders, especially in the contemporary context. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40693]

William Lowry, Ph.D., discusses manipulating metabolic pathways in hair follicle stem cells to inhibit tumorigenesis. By blocking glycolysis and glutamine lysis simultaneously, they observed tumor regression, highlighting the complex interplay between metabolism and cancer. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 39256]

Experts highlight innovative research and clinical advances in fertility and infertility. Speakers share new ways to improve IVF outcomes using liquid biopsy and RNA analysis, aiming to predict embryo quality without invasive tests. They also explore how imaging technologies can better detect and monitor reproductive cancers, helping tailor treatments for conditions like ovarian and cervical cancer. Throughout, there's a focus on addressing health disparities, improving care for all genders, and using big data and AI to personalize reproductive health solutions.

Antoni Duleba, M.D.

Clinical Landscape and OGRS Opportunities

Rebecca Rakow Penner, M.D.,Ph.D.

Imaging in Gynecologic Disorders

Jennifer Anger, M.D.,M.P.H.

Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome in Reproductive Age Women

Sheng Zhong, Ph.D.

Silverseq and Liquid Biopsy

Series: "Motherhood Channel" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40667]

Pressures of life on Earth experienced by our ancestors – as multicellular beings, as hosts to parasites, and as home to microbes – shaped the evolved structure and function of our immune systems.  Some of the traits favored by natural selection have conferred resistance against infections while opening vulnerabilities to autoimmune diseases.  I will illustrate why analysis of the deep-time origins of mammalian immune systems reveals general principles of optimal defense and helps to explain why hosts are so profoundly variable in their susceptibility to infectious and inflammatory diseases. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40692]

Curious about the secret to staying young? Rob Signer shares insights into how our bodies age, focusing on the role of stem cells and a critical protein called HSF1 that helps them cope with stress. Signer explores the delicate balance of keeping these cells healthy without increasing cancer risk and highlighted some promising progress in enhancing the cells' ability to manage waste. Series: "Excerpts" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40775]

Cancer is normal development spun out of control. It is the great plasticity and power of development, without the overarching controls that guide normal development toward an integrated adult form. Instead, whenever a newly developed kind of tissue acquires the ability to survive, grow, and resist control, there is nothing to stop it. That may be why normal adult cells are often terminally differentiated into a restricted cellular program. And it may be why wound healing, which releases the restricted cellular program and powerfully plastic tissue remodeling, is so tightly regulated and, when dysregulated, so often associates with cancer. With regard to evolutionary history, humans develop differently from their ape ancestors, and their lifestyle causes them to suffer different kinds of tissue damage. Those differences in development and wound healing likely led to new aspects of cancer disease over human history. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40691]

The human body has traits that evolved at different times, from 1.5 billion to 2 million years ago, each bringing health benefits and risks. Multicellularity enabled organs and cancer. The immune system defends us but can cause inflammation. Breastfeeding supports infant health but relates to breast cancer risk. Menstruation and invasive placentas improved reproduction but led to pain and cancer risks. Human-specific traits like bipedalism and aging brought new issues like back pain and childbirth problems. Hair loss and sweat glands helped us stay cool but increased skin cancer risk. Our hunter-gatherer past shaped our microbiome and health, but also made us prone to modern diseases from lifestyle changes. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40701]