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Blood pressure lowering drugs not found to increase risk of cancer

A world leading study involving over 260,000 participants led by Prof Kazem Rahimi, has sought to resolve the long debated issue about whether using antihypertensive medication heightens the chance of developing cancer.

New Endometriosis podcast launched: "Unheard of"

Listen now to the first episode ‘Unheard of – The hidden voice of Endometriosis.’ A bold new podcast series co-hosted by DPhil students Danielle Perro and Magda Mareckova, it seeks answers to the biggest questions posed by the Endometriosis community.

First patient dose in HPV clinical trial

Vaccitech Ltd, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of novel immunotherapeutics and vaccines for the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases and cancer, today announced the dosing of the first patient as part of the HPV001 clinical study. “The enrolment of the first patient marks a huge milestone and is a crucial step in the fight against cervical cancer” said Dr Karin Hellner, principal investigator of the study.

Speeding up drug discovery for Endometriosis

A worldwide study of 60,000 patients (the largest of its kind) by the Endo Care Research group has uncovered genetic links from Endometriosis to other inflammatory conditions such as asthma and osteoarthritis, and pain conditions such as migraines and back pain. This could mean drugs currently used for those conditions could be repurposed to treat Endometriosis and speed up the process of drug discovery. Read more about how Endometriosis treatment can transform women's lives.

Celebrating Women

It's 100 years since women were admitted as full members of the University of Oxford, and women now hold vital posts at all levels of the institution, including our head of department - Prof Krina Zondervan.

Our research on COVID-19

How is the Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health responding to the COVID-19 pandemic? There is lots to be proud of - various papers, studies, surveys plus a generous donation of over 11,000 pieces of PPE to Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust from an ex dept member!

Ovarian Cancer

Professor Ahmed leads the Ovarian Cancer Cell Laboratory in The Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine. His research group uses cutting-edge innovative technologies to gain deeper understanding of mechanistic drivers of ovarian cancer initiation and progression.

Reproductive Medicine and Genetics

Our Reproductive Medicine & Genetics research covers the following research groups: Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART); Endometriosis; Fertility Preservation; Miscarriage; Oocytes and Ovaries; Pain in Women; Rhino Fertility Project and Sperm.

Our Maternal & Fetal Health research covers the following research groups: Fetal Monitoring; Lactation and Breastfeeding, The Oxford Safer Pregnancy Alliance (OSPREA), the INGR1D Study and Pre-eclampsia.

Maternal and Fetal Health

Our Maternal & Fetal Health research covers the following research groups: Fetal Monitoring; Intelligent Imaging in Fetal Health, Lactation and Breastfeeding, Placental Imaging, The Oxford Safer Pregnancy Alliance (OSPREA), the INGR1D Study and Pre-eclampsia.

Global Health

Our Global Health research covers the following research groups: Cardiovascular Disease; Deep Medicine; Infections; INTERGROWTH 21st; ME/CFS; Multimorbidity; Neurodevelopment; The Oxford Maternal & Perinatal Health Institute (OMPHI); Oxford University Global Surgery Group, SMARThealth Pregnancy and Urban Health.

Welcome to the Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health. Our multi-disciplinary department has over 80 years experience innovating, teaching, pioneering and evolving women's health. We work across the full spectrum of women’s health and cover four overarching themes; Cancer, Global Health, Maternal & Fetal Health and Reproductive Medicine & Genetics. We focus on genetic studies, the dissection of molecular, biochemical and cellular mechanisms underlying normal and aberrant reproductive tissue function, clinical studies in women’s health, pregnancy, growth and development in the first 1000 days of life. Read more

What's new

New Endometriosis podcast launched: "Unheard of"

30 March 2021

Blood pressure lowering drugs not found to increase risk of cancer

30 March 2021

A world leading study involving over 260,000 participants has sought to resolve the long debated issue about whether using antihypertensive medication heightens the chance of developing cancer.

Latest publications

The influence of maternal body mass index on interobserver variability of fetal ultrasound biometry and amniotic fluid assessment in late pregnancy.
Journal article

Martins JG. et al, (2021), Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol
Diabetes in pregnancy: time to focus on women with type 2 diabetes
Journal article

HIRST J. et al, (2021), Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology
Analysing culture methods of frozen human ovarian tissue to improve follicle survival
Journal article

BJARKADOTTIR B. et al, (2021), Reproduction and Fertility

Tweets by Ox_wrh

Study

Our MSc course was specifically designed to include intense laboratory practical training. Students learn skills and techniques directly relevant to assisted reproductive technology (ART), as well as a range of ‘traditional’ and ‘cutting edge’ scientific techniques and procedures. © Medical Sciences Division and John Cairns

We run three world class Postgraduate study programmes: MSc in Clinical Embryology (1 year residential programme) MSc by Research (2 years research degree) and DPhil (3-4 years research degree).

Research

Our research has four overarching themes; Cancer, Global Health, Maternal & Fetal Health and Reproductive Medicine & Genetics, and within these themes, there are thirty two research groups in the department.

Outreach

Photo of EndoCaRe Centre students teaching pupils at Cheney School.

Our staff and students regularly do outreach and engagement work to improve the public's understanding of women's health issues.

Find out more

Staff and Student quick links

Restricted access for NDWRH staff and students only, SSO is required.

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