The Morgan Lab studies the underlying pathology that causes the great obstetric syndromes of fetal growth restriction, preeclampsia, and spontaneous preterm labor.  We have developed a mouse model that mimics the most common pathophysiology observed in women at the uteroplacental interface, which we employ to study molecular mechanisms, develop maternal blood-based diagnostic testing, and treatments to prevent these common and serious complications.  Results are then translated into non-human primate and human studies.  Our current focus is investigating the content and function of cell- and size-specific extracellular vesicles (virus sized plasma-membrane bound nanoparticles released by cells into the circulation) to better understand cell signaling and diagnostic potential.  A long-term aim of our group is to better understand the role of sex-specific fetal programming in the progeny's risk for disease (eg, cancer) and whether there are transgenerational risks that may be ameliorated.