R Lewis BBSRC Amino acid transport through the placenta BB/I011315/1

This interdisciplinary project investigated how amino acids cross the placenta to feed the fetus while it is growing in the womb. We combined laboratory experiments with mathematical modelling to provide new insight into how the placentas work and how membrane transporters carry amino acids across membranes. A key outcome of this work was the demonstration that simply increasing the levels of amino acids in the mothers blood will not effectively increase supply to the fetus.