Meghan Riddell

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

Contact

Assistant Professor, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry - Obstetrics & Gynaecology Dept
Email
mriddell@ualberta.ca

Overview

Area of Study / Keywords

Placenta Trophoblasts Angiogenesis Pregnancy complications


About

Dr. Meghan Riddell is jointly appointed as an Assistant 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. 

Featured Publications

Atypical protein kinase c isoforms regulate syncytiotrophoblast apical surface structure and permeability

Canadian National Perinatal Research Meeting 2022. 2022 May;


Development of a Physiologically Oriented Trophoblast Organoid Model.

Canadian National Perinatal Research Meeting 2022. 2022 May;


Development of a Physiologically Oriented Trophoblast Organoid Model.

EMBO Workshop: Molecular mechanisms of developmental and regenerative biology. 2022 April;


Society for Reproductive Investigation Annual Meeting 2022. 2022 February; https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-022-00883-5


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


Atypical protein kinase Cs regulate trophoblast progenitor to extravillous trophoblast differentiation by modulating signalling.

WCHRI Research Day 2021. 2021 November;


The role of atypical protein kinase c in regulation of endocytosis and exocytosis in the placental syncytium

WCHRI Research Day 2021. 2021 November;


Reproductive sciences (Thousand Oaks, Calif.). 2021 July; 10.1007/s43032-021-00654-8


Pre-pregnancy overweight and diabetes, and their relationship with gestational hypertension and preeclampsia: a mediation analysis approach.

Society for Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiologic Research. 2021 June;


Constitutively Active Brain Specific Atypical Protein Kinase C is Expressed in the Human Placenta.

Canadian National Perinatal Research Meeting 2021. 2021 February;


Pre-pregnancy overweight and diabetes, and their relationship with gestational hypertension and preeclampsia: a mediation analysis approach

Canadian National Perinatal Research Meeting 2021. 2021 February;


Development of a Physiologically Oriented Placenta Organoid Model.

Women and Children's Health Research Institute Annual Research Day. 2020 November;


The role of atypical protein kinase c in regulation of endocytosis in the placental epithelium

Women and Children's Health Research Institute Annual Research Day. 2020 November;