Meghan Riddell, PhD
Personal Website: https://sites.google.com/ualberta.ca/riddell-lab/
Contact
Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry - Obstetrics & Gynaecology Dept
- mriddell@ualberta.ca
- Address
-
227-F Heritage Medical Research Centre
11207 - 87 Ave NWEdmonton ABT6G 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
View additional publications