Welcome to the Perinatal Research Center
The Department of Pediatrics Perinatal Research Center is the longest standing research and educational program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
Faculty who conduct studies at the Center are on the leading edge of research in maternal, placental, and fetal physiology.
Contact Us
Please direct your questions or requests for additional information about the Perinatal Research Center to:
Georgina Garza
Senior Administrative Professional/Building Manager
Perinatal Research Center
University of Colorado School of Medicine
13243 E. 23rd. Ave, MS F441
Aurora, CO 80045
Tel: 303-724-0543
Fax: 303-724-0898
Email: georgina.garza@cuanschutz.edu
Our Leadership Team
Scientific Director of the PRC
Director of the T32 Training Program in Perinatal Biology and Medicine
Director of Ovine Research Program
The PRC is one of the few facilities in the world that has the capacity for research utilizing chronically catheterized fetal and maternal sheep. Our Center has specific interest in research related to fetal growth and development and complications of pregnancy. The PRC provides indoor, long- and short-term sheep housing, including environmental chambers to produce intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), an operating room with full capacity for general anesthesia and post-operative recovery, animal study areas, and biochemical analysis.
Director of the PRC Mass Spec and HPLC Analytical Program
The PRC has the capacity to perform fetal and maternal metabolic studies using stable and radioactive tracer methodology. In vivo blood sampling and flow measurements in the chronically catheterized pregnant sheep (either by surgical flow probe placement or using tritiated water) allow for quantification of nutrient and oxygen metabolic rates of the fetus, placenta, and mother. Measurement of blood gases, substrate and hormone concentrations, and uterine and umbilical substrate uptake rates are also routine. The PRC houses an HPLC device for the measurement of the complete profile of 28 plasma amino acid concentrations and their derivatives in physiological fluid. The PRC has the capacity to measure isotope enrichments of substrates and carbon dioxide using an Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer and Isotope ratio/Mass Spectrometer.
Director of Surgical Innovation and Training Program
The PRC is dedicated to training the next generation of physician-scientists and fetal and placental physiologists in the surgical skills required to study normal and abnormal fetal development in large and small animal models. The PRC has a long history of developing in vivo models to measure fetal metabolism, blood gasses, plasma hormones, nutrient uptakes, and hemodynamics, in mid- and late-gestation models of growth restriction, hypoxia, and hypo- or hyper- hormone/nutrient infusions. Available surgical techniques include chronic vascular and tracheal catheterization, and placement of flow probes, vascular occluders, osmotic pumps, and telemetry devices.
Director of PRC Histology, Imaging and Analysis Program
In 2021 state of the art imaging capabilities were introduced to the PRC. This was accompanied by the necessary associated analytical tools and software. The PRC Histology Facility is equipped with tissue processing and sectioning equipment for both FFPE and frozen samples. Additionally, two whole slide scanners (bright field and fluorescent imaging), epifluorescent and spinning disk confocal microscopes are available for imaging of various type of samples – from live cells and tissues to fixed stained tissue samples. Support is provided for the analysis of the obtained images with state artificial intelligence-driven software, such as Visiopharm, QuPath and Imaris.
Director of the PRC Molecular and Cellular Biology Program
The Molecular and Cellular lab space at the PRC is a unique open workspace where all PIs have dedicated bench space yet share common and major equipment. Several Research Services Professionals are also shared among investigators, further enabling cross-collaboration and allowing these associates to develop specialized technical skill sets that can be utilized by all investigators. Overall, this fosters a highly collaborative and efficient environment for PIs and trainees to execute their research and training missions. The Lab includes all necessary equipment for tissue processing and molecular and cellular analysis. In addition, there are multiple dedicated spaces for primary cell isolations and cell culture.
Director of the PRC Murine Research Program
In 2016, the Section of Neonatology built a state-of-the-art murine vivarium adjacent to the PRC. This facility has the capacity to house 800 mice. It has 500 square feet to house the mice, and 300 square feet available for performing procedures including injections, dissections and tissue harvesting. The freestanding PRC mouse facility has the resources to support both short and long term studies investigating complications of pregnancy, perinatal insults, and the developmental origins of adult disease.