Maternal, Newborn, and Adolescent Health

Catherine Poulsen of Electrical Geodesics, Inc. in the U.S. will develop a protocol based on electroencephalography for the automated measurement of functional connectivity networks in the infant brain in order to predict the development of neurological defects. Functional connectivity networks such as emotion, memory, and language begin developing during gestation, and defects are linked with disorders including ADHD and depression. However, measuring functional networks requires magnetic resonance imaging, which is expensive and problematic for use on infants.

Jennifer Griffin of RTI International in the U.S. will test whether the gestational age of infants born prematurely can be determined by combining simple physical measurements with an automated analysis of the blood vessels in the retina using the camera on a mobile phone. As the fetus develops in the womb, blood vessels in the anterior lens gradually disappear, which closely correlates with gestational age at delivery.

John Herr of the University of Virginia in the U.S. will research the egg-specific membrane enzyme metalloprotease as a target for a non-hormonal female contraceptive. After determining the nature of the enzyme's catalytic pocket, a family of peptidomimetic compounds will be tested for their ability to bind to the enzyme and block its key role in egg fertilization.

Manish Arora of the GE India Technology Centre Private Limited in Bangalore, India will assess the feasibility of using new low-cost ultrasound transducers to create an affordable diagnostic ultrasound scanner for use in the developing world. Arora's prototype device will also feature a power-saving mode to save battery power, as well as wireless connectivity features that can enable telehealth solutions in remote locations.

Vinod Bhutani of Stanford University in the U.S. will measure neurosteroid levels in infants from birth to 72 hours of age to determine whether they are affected by skin-to-skin contact (kangaroo mother care), thereby influencing neurodevelopment. Skin-to-skin contact between mother and child shortly after birth has been linked with improved infant growth, breastfeeding and attachment, and, for preterm infants, enhanced neurodevelopment.

Haim Breitbart of Bar-Ilan University in Israel will design and test antisense molecules that will inactivate specific genes within sperm that are essential to the fertilization process. If successful, these antisense molecules can be used to develop a reversible oral male contraceptive.