Sandra Davidge, PhD, FRSC, FCAHS

About

The Davidge laboratory studies cardiovascular physiology with a specific interest in the area of women’s, maternal and perinatal cardiovascular health. We investigate potential mediators for vascular endothelial cell dysfunction in pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia. We also study the impact of pregnancy complications on the long-term cardiovascular on the offspring born from an adverse intrauterine environment (also known as developmental origins of disease).

Research

Research Focus & Overview

The Davidge laboratory studies cardiovascular physiology with a specific interest in the area of women’s, maternal and perinatal cardiovascular health. We investigate potential mediators for vascular endothelial cell dysfunction in pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia. We also study the impact of pregnancy complications on the long-term cardiovascular on the offspring born from an adverse intrauterine environment (also known as developmental origins of disease).

Preeclampsia

Studies include understanding mechanisms for normal cardiovascular adaptations of pregnancy as well as mechanisms for impaired vascular responses in women with preeclampsia, a pregnancy disorder characterized by hypertension and proteinuria. This work addresses the endothelial regulation of vascular tone. Moreover, we study the effect of oxidative stress on endothelial cell function as a potential mechanism for vascular dysfunction in women with preeclampsia.

Developmental Origins of Cardiovascular Disease

Complications in pregnancy may also influence cardiovascular health in the offspring. Numerous epidemiological studies have determined an association between a poor uterine environment (usually reflected by low birth weight) and the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases later in life. It is likely that adaptive responses to fetal/neonatal environmental stresses lead to permanent changes that negatively influence metabolic and cardiovascular health in adult life. However, the mechanisms underlying these changes are not known. Our laboratory assesses mechanisms for altered cardiovascular responses in pregnancies from an adverse maternal environment as well as assessing the offspring from these pregnancies in various life stages (fetal, neonatal, young and aged adults).

Trainees

The Davidge laboratory is committed to the training of undergraduate and graduate students as well as post-doctoral fellows.Funding SupportThis research has been supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Alberta Innovates, Canada Foundation for Innovation;  along with the Stollery Children’s Health Foundation and the Alberta Women’s Health Foundation through the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute.

Techniques

• Vascular function studies using myography are conducted on isolated small arteries from our various animal models. 

• Analysis of the expression of various enzymes and receptors using Western blot and Immunohistochemistry techniques. 

• Cell cultures of endothelial cells to assess cellular mechanisms.

Research Associate / Lab Manager

Murilo Gratongraton@ualberta.ca

t. 780.492.8562

Technician

Anita Quon

aquon@ualberta.ca

Publications: ORCID ID: 0000-0002-5559-4905