Research

The Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences is recognized worldwide as a leader in basic, translational and clinical research in all facets of reproduction. Areas of special emphasis includes reproductive immunology, oncology, hemostasis, angiogenesis, and neurophysiology, as well as fertility preservation and restoration, predicting and preventing pregnancy complications, developing novel contraceptives, and studies in reproductive endocrinology. These studies should not only lead to improved care of our patients but to fundamental discoveries that can have a great impact on reproductive biology. Specific studies include but are not limited to:

• The immunology of normal and pathological pregnancy
• Early detection markers of ovarian cancer
• Novel drug and immunologic treatments for gynecologic cancers
• Growth factors in ovarian, endometrial and breast cancer
• The factors causing endometriosis as well as a novel immunotherapy
• Development of female reproductive organs
• Stem cells and pelvic floor repair
• The regulation of gene expression in gametes and embryos
• The genetics of prematurity
• Sperm viability
• Clotting cascade in the complications of pregnancy
• Hormonal regulation of pregnancy
• Unique estrogens for menopausal symptomology
• The regulation of placental development and invasion
• Biomarkers of preeclampsia and preterm labor
• Specific factors producing reversion to stem cells
• Autoimmunity in pregnancy
• Treatment of infection in pregnancy
• Oocyte survival and growth
• Genetics of female reproductive peptide hormones
• Methods to identify normal blastocysts for successful implantation
• SPECT imaging estrogen sensitive regions of the brain
• Steroid and peptide hormone action in the brain
• Central hormonal regulation of obesity
• Endometrial hemostasis and angiogenesis
• Endometrial blood flow
• Pathophysiology of prematurity

All Yale Ob/Gyn full–time faculty members conduct clinical, translational or basic research with medical students, residents, clinical fellows or pre– and post–doctoral research fellows. The department ranked 4th in NIH funding in 2008 and currently has over $9.2 million in NIH grant support and another $5.2 million in funding from foundations and Pharma. Over 100 peer–reviewed publications are generated each year by the faculty, many in high impact clinical and scientific journals including: New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of Clinical Investigation, PNAS, Nature, and Science. Our current or former faculty edits many of the premier textbook in the field. There is a weekly Research-in-Progress meeting where each researcher is expected to present her/his lab’s work for feedback at least once a year. In addition, clinical sections and individual labs have weekly research meetings. Thus, it is not surprising that Yale has trained more university chairs of ob/gyn than any other medical school.