Gavin Collett

I graduated from Nottingham University with a BSc in Biochemistry & Biological Chemistry then obtained a PhD in Biochemistry from Glasgow University. Following postdoctoral positions at Newcastle University and Queen's University Belfast I joined NDOG in December 2006. My current research is focussed on elucidating the molecular mechanisms controlling the release of extracellular vesicles from the syncytiotrophoblast in response to stress, characterising their composition and determining their effects on target cells. The ultimate aim of this work is to increase our understanding of the physiological and pathological function of placental extracellular vesicles, including their potential role in pre-eclampsia. Other research interests include molecular mechanisms of trophoblast cell fusion and the role of the actin-severing protein cofilin-1 in trophoblast biology.