Meghan Riddell, PhD

Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry - Obstetrics & Gynaecology Dept

Personal Website: https://sites.google.com/ualberta.ca/riddell-lab/

Contact

Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry - Obstetrics & Gynaecology Dept
Email
mriddell@ualberta.ca
Address
227-F Heritage Medical Research Centre
11207 - 87 Ave NW
Edmonton AB
T6G 2S2

Overview

Area of Study / Keywords

Placenta Trophoblasts Angiogenesis Pregnancy complications


About

Dr. Meghan Riddell is jointly appointed as an Associate Professor in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Physiology.

Training and Degrees:

Post Doctoral Training: Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research; Laboratory for Cell Polarity and Tissue Morphogenesis; 2014-2018

PhD: University of Alberta; Department of Physiology; 2013

BSc: University of Alberta; Honours Immunology and Infection; 2008


Research

Research Focus and Overview:

The Riddell lab is interested in placental morphogenesis and the pathogenesis of common pregnancy complications. We are particularly interested in the formation and function/dysfunction of two different cell types: 1) the trophoblasts, a placental specific cell lineage; 2) endothelial cells; the cells that form the lining of blood vessels. Studies are carried out using biochemistry and cell biology techniques in order to understand molecular mechanisms at a cellular level.

Trophoblasts:

Trophoblasts are a placental specific cell type that form the interface between the mother and the fetus. In the Riddell lab we are interested in understanding the mechanisms controlling trophoblast differentiation and their reaction to the common pregnancy stressors inflammation and hypoxia. Studies are carried out on isolated primary human trophoblasts using a variety of in vitro culture models.

Angiogenesis:

We are also interested in the molecular mechanisms controlling the growth of placental blood vessels, or angiogenesis. The placenta forms its own vascular network independent of the fetus and proper formation and expansion of placental blood vessels is critical for growth and development of the fetus. Therefore, we are interested in understanding the placental specific mechanisms controlling this process and how this process can be disrupted in pregnancy complications. 



Teaching

PHYSL 413/513, PHYSL 463/464

Featured Publications

Wendy K. Duan, Sumaiyah Z. Shaha, Khushali J. Patel, Ivan K. Domingo, Meghan R. Riddell

2024 February; 10.1101/2024.02.22.581647


Khushali Patel, Jasmine Nguyen, Sumaiyah Shaha, Amy Brightwell, Wendy Duan, Ashley Zubkowski, Ivan K Domingo, Meghan Riddell

Life Science Alliance. 2023 October; 10.26508/lsa.202301946


Sumaiyah Shaha, Khushali Patel, Meghan Riddell

Placenta. 2023 September; 10.1016/j.placenta.2022.11.007


Khushali Patel, Jasmine Nguyen, Sumaiyah Shaha, Amy Brightwell, Wendy Duan, Ashley Zubkowski, Meghan Riddell

2022 July; 10.1101/2022.06.30.498172


Sumaiyah Shaha, Khushali Patel, Saba Saadat, Sareh Panahi, Monique M. de Almeida, Anastassia Voronova, Meghan Riddell

Placenta. 2022 March; 10.1016/j.placenta.2022.01.015


Shaha S., Patel K., Saadat S., Panahi S., de Almeida M.M., Voronova A., Riddell M.

PLACENTA. 2022 February; 119 10.1016/j.placenta.2022.01.015


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