March of Dimes Honors Placental Scientist for Breakthroughs in Fetal Growth Regulation
Event summary
- March of Dimes awarded Thomas Jansson, MD, PhD, the 2026 Agnes Higgins Award in Maternal-Fetal Nutrition for his research on placental function and fetal growth.
- Dr. Jansson's work identified the placenta's mTOR signaling hub as a key regulator of fetal growth based on maternal nutrition and metabolism.
- His research demonstrated that placental mTOR activation leads to fetal overgrowth, while inhibition results in growth restriction, both linked to long-term health risks.
- Dr. Jansson recently discovered beneficial proteins secreted by the placenta into fetal circulation, potentially lifesaving for preterm babies.
The big picture
March of Dimes' recognition of Dr. Jansson underscores the growing emphasis on maternal-fetal nutrition as a critical factor in long-term health outcomes. His research challenges longstanding assumptions about fetal growth regulation, opening new avenues for therapeutic interventions. The findings have implications for addressing global health disparities linked to maternal nutrition and pregnancy complications.
What we're watching
- Therapeutic Development
- How mTOR-related therapeutics inspired by Dr. Jansson's research will progress toward clinical application.
- Nutritional Interventions
- Whether dietary protocols targeting placental mTOR can improve fetal growth outcomes in high-risk pregnancies.
- Preterm Infant Care
- The pace at which beneficial placental proteins can be validated and integrated into NICU treatments.
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