Research Group Prof. Dr. phil. II Ana Paula Simões-Wüst

Main Field of Research, Abstract

The group focuses on Perinatal Pharmacology and Biochemistry (pharmacological and biochemical topics of Obstetrics) using experimental, clinical and epidemiological research methods:

• Pharmacology and biochemistry of uterine contractions and therapy of preterm labour (atosiban, nifedipine, Bryophyllum pinnatum).
• Therapeutic and abusing drugs in pregnancy and lactation (placental transfer, excretion in human milk, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, teratogenicity, phytotherapeutics, drug abuse).
• Metabolism and nutrition in pregnacy (e.g. effect of nutrition on quality of human breast milk, overweight prevention).

Collaboration

University of Basel (Department of Obstetrics; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences); University of Maastricht (Department of Epidemiology), the Netherlands; Louis Bolk Institute, Driebergen, the Netherlands; Paracelsus-Hospital Richterswil; Clinic Arlesheim.

Main Fields of Research, Keywords

Preterm labour, uterine contractions, tocolysis, oxytocin receptor polymorphisms, phytotherapy, Bryophyllum pinnatum, placental transfer, conjugated fatty acids.

Special Techniques and Equipment

Myograph, ex vivo placenta perfusion model, ELISA, immunoblotting.

Education and Training    

Lectures for medical students at the University of Zurich