Molecular Markers for Preterm Birth

Project Details

Project Context:
Dr. Torres in the CPD at Utah State University was invited to participate on a Molecular Markers for Preterm Birth grant proposal by scientists at the California Department of Health Services & Genetic Disease Branch. This proposal was funded for three years by the March of Dimes and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Other participants include researchers from the National Institute of Health (NIH), Johns Hopkins University and the University of Pittsburgh.

The CDC has estimated that as many as 30% of children born prematurely die in the first year of life from complications of a preterm birth. Premature infants are at risk for numerous medical problems affecting different organ systems. Neurological problems include developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy and bleeding in the brain resulting in learning disabilities or even death. Cardiovascular complications and respiratory problems are common. Gastrointestinal and metabolic issues can arise from hypoglycemia and feeding difficulties. In addition, premature infants can be jaundice or have pneumonia and urinary tract infections.

Dr. Torres and his research group has performed the DNA extraction and purification from over 4000 whole blood samples and dried newborn blood spots.

Research Focus:
The current project is to perform single-nucleotide plymorphism (SNP) analysis on these samples searching for a DNA sequence variation, genetic marker in either the mother or fetus to predict the likelihood of a premature birth.