Human Biology Research
Through world-class research, we are working hard to combat and lessen the impact of health issues which effect our day-to-day lives.
Human Biology Research Projects
The impact of maternal cannabis use during pregnancy on neurodevelopment genes in exposed offspring
Status: Complete Year: 2021 Funded: $107,119 Grant Type: Major Project Grant
Substance use during pregnancy is a large driver of health inequalities in exposed children. Globally, cannabis use in pregnant women is increasing, yet there is limited understanding of its effects on offspring exposed during development. Epidemiological and associative research from humans and animals shows increasing evidence that maternal cannabis use during pregnancy can have a negative influence on the brain development of exposed offspring. However, it is not yet established whether this relationship is causal, partly causal, or only correlational. We do know, however, that developmentally-induced health inequalities are often driven by environmentally-induced genetic change. Thus here we aim to determine whether maternal cannabis use impacts the genome of exposed offspring at genes involved in neurodevelopment. This would fill the knowledge gap around the association between maternal cannabis use in pregnancy and offspring neurodevelopment. It will also provide clarity around the potential risks of maternal cannabis use during pregnancy, and what this might mean for the health outcomes of exposed children.
Researcher // Dr Amy Osborne – University of Canterbury
Dr Osborne’s research interests lie in environmental epigenetics, DNA methylation, genome regulation, and developmental origins of health and disease.
of Kiwis used cannabis in the last 12 months
of Kiwis have tried cannabis before the age of 21
go on to develop a pattern of heavy use
Why do males die younger? Sex, steroids and yasopeptides
Status: Complete Year: 2006 Funded: $54,652 Grant Type: Major Project Grant
Researcher // Dr John Evans – University of Otago
Professor John Evans is studying gynaecological cancers in collaboration with Peter Sykes. These investigations aim to understand cancers and develop new treatments. Another set of studies investigates the regulation of the ovulatory cycle. This research is aimed at developing methods of fertility modulation. Previous investigations of the peptides in cells lining blood vessels have provided new information on vascular disease.