Division of Reproductive Sciences

We are often asked, “Why conduct and invest in basic research in a clinical department?” An investment in basic research at the cellular and molecular level provides us with the tools needed to understand diseases that do not yet have a clinical treatment. Where therapies are known and have complications, basic science research is essential to understanding their side effects and how to avoid them.

A significant focus of our basic research program is in seeking to understand the cellular and molecular interactions and functions that are needed to establish a healthy pregnancy to full gestation in both animal and human models. A healthy pregnancy has the greatest benefit to mother, child and society; however, understanding the causes of pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia and potential pre-term labor and delivery that result from this condition is essential to developing safe, effective treatments for mother and child.

Our Mission

As an academic institution, our mission is to educate future scientists and physicians in the new world of interdisciplinary and collaborative biomedical research. In particular, for NIH’s (National Institutes of Health) initiative to build interdisciplinary teams to be achieved we must have basic researchers working in clinical departments in order to understand what the clinical problem is at a mechanistic level. Likewise for doctors who are practicing clinical medicine to know what is possible they need to see and understand cutting edge research being done in their own department. We must not overlook the pre- and post-doctoral scholars within our department who are essential to advancing the research mission not only to support work conducted by the faculty Principal Investigator, but also to develop their own career paths through guided mentorship and training. For these reasons, conducting basic research in a clinical department is essential to a healthy and bright future for all women, infants and children.

Abbott and co-authors publish in Seminars in Reproductive Medicine

David Abbott, PhD, professor in the Division of Reproductive Sciences, recently co-authored a new article published in Seminars in Reproductive Medicine. Co-authors include Beverly Hutcherson and Daniel Dumesic.In “Anti-Mullerian Hormone: A Molecular Key to Unlocking Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?,” Abbott and co-authors evaluate... more

Ong publishes in Frontiers in Immunology

Irene Ong, PhD, assistant professor in the Division of Reproductive Sciences, is senior author on a new publication in Frontiers in Immunology.In "Assessing Immune Factors in Maternal Milk and Paired Infant Plasma Antibody Binding to Human Rhinoviruses", Ong and co-authors “used high-density peptide arrays to profile infant a... more

Research and updates from Sathish Kumar, PhD!

There are several exciting updates from Sathish Kumar, PhD, professor in the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Division of Reproductive Sciences!On May 31, 2024, Kumar met with Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin’s office to discuss the effects of perfluoroalkyl ... more

Clemente to present poster at Gordon Research Conference

Congratulations to Luca Clemente, PhD, research associate in the Division of Reproductive Sciences! Clemente will present a poster at a Gordon Research Conference in summer 2024.Clemente will bring the poster “Cytokine-induced changes in endothelial cell mRNA and protein expression may promote vascular inflammation in preecla... more

Stanic presents at ASRI Conference

Aleksandar Stanic-Kostic, MD, PhD, associate professor in the Divisions of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and Reproductive Sciences, was invited to give a lecture at the 2024 American Society for Reproductive Immunology (ASRI) Conference. The meeting was held from May 18-22, 2024 in Houston, Texas.Stanic’s present... more