Dr Alison Care
Ext-Funded Research Fellow (C)
Robinson Research Institute
Division of Research and Innovation
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.
Each year, an estimated 76,000 women and 500,000 babies will die due to preeclampsia, a serious complication of pregnancy and one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal deaths globally. An estimated 300 million women and their children worldwide have survived preeclampsia and are at greater risk of long-term complications like heart disease. With no effective treatment or cure, preeclampsia disproportionately affects women in remote and disadvantaged communities with limited access to medical care.
As Heart Foundation Future Fellow at the University of Adelaide’s Robinson Research Institute, I am challenging how we study, screen and treat the condition. Preeclampsia is severely under-researched and underfunded. If we don’t understand the causes, we’re never going to be able to develop targeted treatments and prevention measures. I am among a handful of researchers investigating how the immune and vascular systems interact to help the body adapt to a pregnancy.
- My Research
- Career
- Publications
- Grants and Funding
- Teaching
- Supervision
- Professional Activities
- Contact
I am the Pregnancy and Birth Theme Leader and Research Leader at the Robinson Research Institute, and lead the Vascular Immunology in Pregnancy research group. My multidisciplinary research team brings together both immunology and vascular biology to understand what causes preeclampsia. I collaborate with researchers globally to integrate the latest research and technology advances, and work closely with Australian clinicians so my research has a pathway to mothers and children.
Preeclampsia is a whole-of-body, whole-of-life condition
Where most research has focused on either the immunology or the vascular biology of preeclampsia, I am one of just a handful of researchers globally combining both fields and looking at how the immune system and vascular system dynamics cause pregnancy complications. As well as delivering a better understanding of the causes, this unified research approach will help us to develop screening tools for diagnosing the disorder, as well as identifying early signs of cardiovascular disease after a complicated pregnancy.
Screening tools and intervention
A better understanding of the potential causes and triggers of preeclampsia can inform more effective screening tools to identify at-risk women. With my team, we are seeking to develop screening tools that will account for established risk factors, such as obesity and age, while also examining immune system and vascular function to identify all the deficiencies that might trigger preeclampsia. This would allow for intervention at both early and later stages of the pregnancy.
Studies have found that women with preeclampsia have fewer regulatory T cells. These immune cells help regulate or suppress other cells in the immune system and are crucial to the development of the placenta; they are also important to long-term cardiovascular health. We are working to develop targeted immune interventions that can boost regulatory T cell numbers and vascular interventions to improve vascular function, to reduce preeclampsia impacts and improve long-term postpartum cardiovascular health.
Reversing the damage
Through collaboration with the postpartum screening clinic at the Lyell McEwin Hospital established by cardiologist Margaret Arstall, the COFFEE Clinic, I will use non-invasive testing to capture additional measures of vascular function and build a more complete picture of the impact of pregnancy complications.
At the COFFEE Clinic, patients who have previously had severe cases of preeclampsia or other pregnancy disorders are monitored for key health factors and provided personalised health advice. We are looking to capture measures of vascular function using non-invasive measures such as retinal scanning, which provides insight into systemic vascular health, and can reveal changes in microvascular function.
Together, we will be able to broaden our understanding of what is happening postpartum, and how we can reduce the whole-life impact of preeclampsia.
Impact
My focus is to ensure that women from disadvantaged and remote communities in Australia and abroad can benefit from my work. In Adelaide’s CBD, the rate for preeclampsia is around 2-5%. At the Lyell McEwin Hospital, 30 minutes north of Adelaide, the rate is as high as 10%. In regions and countries with reduced access to healthcare facilities that number can increase to 17%.
Preeclampsia affects mothers and infants for life. It can also impact subsequent pregnancies. We need to develop more effective ways of diagnosing and treating this condition, so that we reduce the impact globally.
Vascular Immunology in Pregnancy Research Group - Current Student Projects
The research projects in the Vascular Immunology in Pregnancy research group are run collaboratively with the Reproductive Immunology group, headed by Professor Sarah Robertson.
Project 1
Title: Regulatory T cells drive vascular adaptations in early pregnancy to facilitate placental development
Supervisors: Dr. Alison Care, Prof. Sarah Robertson
Description: Preeclampsia is a complication that affects 5-8% of pregnancies worldwide, and poses a significant risk to maternal and infant health. There is currently no treatment for preeclampsia, and therefore up to 12% of infants are born small for gestational age and 20% are born preterm. As such, preeclampsia contributes to long-term health complications in offspring as well as postpartum women. The syndrome is characterised by impaired placental development, which reduces the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. The anti-inflammatory immune cell, regulatory T cells (Treg), are essential for maternal immune tolerance to the developing fetus and placenta. We have also shown that Treg cells have an integral role in driving the vascular changes that occur during a healthy pregnancy. Accumulating evidence implicates dysregulation of maternal Treg cells in abnormal placental development and the development of preeclampsia. In this project, we will use tissue from a mouse model of preeclampsia to assess placental development. We will investigate how the maternal immune cells assist in the development of the placenta, and their role in facilitating vascular changes required to enable sufficient blood flow to the fetus.
Skills learned during this project: Flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, tissue collection, ultrasound biomicroscopy, data collection, analysis and interpretation.
Project available for: Honours and HDR
Location: Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences Building, North Terrace
Research project start: Semester 1 and 2
Project 2
Title: Regulatory T cell boosting strategies to improve outcomes in complicated pregnancies
Supervisors: Dr. Alison Care, Prof. Sarah Robertson
Description: Extensive immune adaptations are required in a healthy pregnancy. In preeclampsia, the adaptive immune response and T cell balance are disrupted, favouring a pro-inflammatory environment. Regulatory T cells (Treg) are a specialised T cell subset that suppress inflammation and prevent maternal immunity (i.e. immune rejection) towards the fetus. Tregs are key regulators of vascular function, notably in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, where infusion of Tregs can reverse hypertension. Tregs are also implicated as regulators of vascular function in pregnancy. There are fewer Tregs with reduced anti-inflammatory function in the circulation, decidua and placenta of PE women and in rodent models of PE. In this study, we will determine whether bolstering Treg cell number and function may be a rational therapeutic strategy for the underlying condition of PE. This project will form the groundwork for future development of novel Treg cell-based diagnostic tests for PE.
Skills learned during this project: Flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, tissue collection, ultrasound biomicroscopy, data collection, analysis and interpretation.
Project available for: Honours and HDR
Location: Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences Building, North Terrace
Research project start: Semester 1 and 2
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Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2019 - 2022 Heart Foundation of Australia Future Leader Fellow University of Adelaide 2015 - 2018 NHMRC CJ Martin Fellow University of Adelaide 2012 - 2016 Postdoctoral Research Fellow University of Alberta -
Awards and Achievements
Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount 2018 Award Newcastle Emerging Research Leader Award Society for Reproductive Biology Australia - 2017 Award International Best Abstract Trainee Travel Award Australia/New Zealand at the Society for the Study of Reproduction Reproduction, Fertility and Development and the Society for the Study of Reproduction United States AUD $800 2017 Nomination Nomination for the University of Alberta Award for Outstanding Mentorship in Undergraduate Research University of Alberta Canada - 2016 Award MedStar Award for best research publication in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry University of Alberta Canada CAD $1000 2014 Award Best Poster Presentation Society for Gynecologic Investigation Italy USD $100 2014 Award Women and Children’s Health Research Institute Travel Award The University of Alberta Canada CAD $1000 2014 Award Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health, Travel Award, National Competition Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Canada CAD $1000 2013 Award 1st Place Oral Presentation, Postdoctoral Fellow category Women and Children’s Research Institute Research Day Canada CAD $100 2013 Award Best Poster Presentation Western Perinatal Research Meeting Canada CAD $100 -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 2007 - 2012 University of Adelaide Australia Doctor of Philosophy 2001 - 2004 University of South Australia Australia Bachelor of Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology with Honours -
Postgraduate Training
Date Title Institution Country 2005 - 2006 Graduate Certificate in Science and Technology Commercialisation University of Adelaide Australia -
Research Interests
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Journals
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Book Chapters
Year Citation 2015 Robertson, S. A., Sharkey, D. J., Schjenken, J. E., Care, A. S., & Moldenhauer, L. M. (2015). Pathways for activating implantation tolerance in early pregnancy.. In G. CHAOUAT (Ed.), Immunology of Pregnancy (Vol. 2, pp. 1835-1874). Bentham Science Publishers.
DOI Scopus352013 A. Robertson, S., J. Sharkey, D., E. Schjenken, J., S. Care, A., & M. Moldenhauer, L. (Eds.) (2013). Part F: Pathways for Activating Implantation Tolerance in Early Pregnancy. In Immunology of Pregnancy 2013 (pp. 592-613). BENTHAM SCIENCE PUBLISHERS.
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Conference Papers
Year Citation 2024 Robertson, S. A., Groome, H. M., Peck, C. Y., Roberts, C. T., & Care, A. S. (2024). Macrophages Are Essential Regulators of Uterine Vascular Adaptation during Early Pregnancy in Mice.. In REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES Vol. 31 (pp. 93A). CANADA, Vancouver: SPRINGER HEIDELBERG. 2024 Foyle, K. L., Moldenhauer, L. M., Ferguson, G. D., Robertson, S. A., & Care, A. S. (2024). Boosting Maternal Regulatory T Cells in Pregnancy Using IL-2 Antibody Complex Protects Against Fetal Loss in Mice.. In REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES Vol. 31 (pp. 189A). CANADA, Vancouver: SPRINGER HEIDELBERG. 2023 Lovell, E. A., Hosking, S. L., Fitzgerald, R. J., Nicholas, L. M., Parry, L. J., Robertson, S. A., & Care, A. S. (2023). Effect of Regulatory T Cell Depletion in Early Pregnancy on Postpartum Cardio- Metabolic Function in Mice. In REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES Vol. 30 (pp. 227A-228A). AUSTRALIA, Brisbane: SPRINGER HEIDELBERG. 2019 Groome, H. M., Care, A. S., Chin, P. Y., Roberts, C. T., & Robertson, S. A. (2019). Macrophage Regulation of Decidual Vascular Remodelling is Crucial for Pregnancy Success in Mice.. In REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES Vol. 26 (pp. 202A). Paris, FRANCE: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC. 2019 Care, A. S., Bourque, S. L., Morton, J. S., Hjartarson, E. P., Humphries, J., Davidge, S. T., & Robertson, S. A. (2019). Regulatory T Cell Deficiency Increases Resistance to Uteroplacental Blood Flow, Leading to Fetal Growth Restriction.. In REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES Vol. 26 (pp. 116A). Paris, FRANCE: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC. 2019 Napso, T., Hung, Y. -P., Davidge, S. T., Care, A. S., & Sferruzzi-Perri, A. N. (2019). Sex-Specific Differences in Placental Adaptation to Advanced Maternal Age.. In REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES Vol. 26 (pp. 167A). Paris, FRANCE: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC. 2016 Care, A. S., Bourque, S. L., Hjartarson, E. P., Robertson, S. A., & Davidge, S. T. (2016). Effect of Regulatory T Cell Depletion on Uterine Artery Function in the Mouse.. In REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES Vol. 23 (pp. 221A-222A). Montreal, CANADA: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC. 2016 Cooke, C. -L. M., Care, A. S., Morton, J. S., Kirschenman, R. D., & Davidge, S. T. (2016). Endothelium-Dependent Vascular Function Is Impaired in Male Offspring from Aged Dams.. In REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES Vol. 23 (pp. 233A). Montreal, CANADA: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC. 2016 Morton, J. S., Care, A. S., Cooke, C. -L. M., Kirschenman, R., & Davidge, S. T. (2016). Altered Vascular Endothelial Function Three Months Postpartum in Dams of Advanced Maternal Age. In REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES Vol. 23 (pp. 204A). Montreal, CANADA: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC. 2016 Bourque, S. L., Care, A. S., Sung, M., Dyck, J. R., & Davidge, S. T. (2016). Effects of Maternal Resveratrol Treatment on Blood Pressure and Vascular Function in Adult Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat Offspring.. In REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES Vol. 23 (pp. 315A). Montreal, CANADA: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC. 2008 Robertson, S., Jasper, M., Bromfield, J., Care, A., Nakamura, H., & Ingman, W. (2008). The role of macrophages in implantation and early pregnancy success. In BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION Vol. 78 (pp. 274-275). Kailua Kona, HI: SOC STUDY REPRODUCTION.
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Conference Items
Year Citation 2024 Lovell, E. A., Hosking, S. L., Wooldridge, A. L., De Poi, R. J., Nicholas, L. M., Parry, L. J., . . . Care, A. S. (2024). Maternal Regulatory T Cells Are an Early Pregnancy Determinant of Cardiometabolic Health in Adult Mouse Offspring. Poster session presented at the meeting of Abstracts of the 71st Annual Meeting of the Society for Reproductive Investigation (SRI 2024), as published in Reproductive Sciences. Vancouver, BC, Canada: Springer.
DOI2023 Hosking, S. L., Groome, H. M., Moldenhauer, L. M., Roberts, C. T., Davidge, S. T., Robertson, S. A., & Care, A. S. (2023). Regulatory T Cells Promote Decidual Arterial Remodeling to Facilitate Fetal Development in Mice. Poster session presented at the meeting of REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES. AUSTRALIA, Brisbane: SPRINGER HEIDELBERG. 2020 Robertson, S. A., Schjenken, J. S., Moldenhauer, L. M., Zhang, B., Groome, H. M., Chan, H. Y., & Care, A. S. (2020). miR-155 Deficiency Impairs Pregnancy Tolerance and Predisposes to Inflammation-Induced Fetal Loss in Mice.. Poster session presented at the meeting of REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES. Vancouver, CANADA: SPRINGER HEIDELBERG. 2020 Care, A. S., Groome, H. M., Hosking, S. L., Roberts, C. T., Davidge, S. T., & Robertson, S. A. (2020). Regulatory T Cells Determine Uterine Natural Killer Cell Abundance and Decidual Vascular Remodeling in Early Pregnancy in Mice.. Poster session presented at the meeting of REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES. Vancouver, CANADA: SPRINGER HEIDELBERG. 2019 Care, A., Bourque, S. L., Morton, J. S., Hjartarson, E. P., Humphries, J., Davidge, S. T., & Robertson, S. A. (2019). Regulatory T cell deficiency increases resistance to uteroplacental blood flow, leading to fetal growth restriction. Poster session presented at the meeting of Reproductive Sciences. 2018 Cooke, C. -L. M., Care, A. S., Kirshenman, R. D., Quon, A. L., Morton, J. S., & Davidge, S. T. (2018). Vascular Function is Altered via Sex-Specific Mechanisms in Aged Offspring Born from Dams of Advanced Maternal Age.. Poster session presented at the meeting of REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES. San Diego, CA: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC. 2018 Napso, T., Care, A. S., Davidge, S. T., & Sferruzzi-Perri, A. N. (2018). Changes in Rat Placental Transport Phenotype in Advanced Maternal Age.. Poster session presented at the meeting of REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES. San Diego, CA: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC. 2018 Care, A. S., Bourque, S. L., Morton, J. S., Hjartarson, E. P., Robertson, S. A., & Davidge, S. T. (2018). Regulatory T Cells Regulate Uterine Artery Function to Impact Fetal. Poster session presented at the meeting of REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES. San Diego, CA: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC. 2015 Cooke, C. L. M., Care, A. S., Morton, J. S., Shah, A., Reyes, L. M., & Davidge, S. T. (2015). Increased susceptibility to cardiovascular disease in offspring born from dams of advanced maternal age. Poster session presented at the meeting of Reproductive Sciences. San Francisco: Sage in Association with Society for Reproductive Investigation.
DOI2015 Care, A. S., Bourque, S. L., & Davidge, S. T. (2015). Assessment of the Time-Course of Pregnancy Loss in a Rat Model of Advanced Maternal Age. Poster session presented at the meeting of REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES. SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC. 2014 Care, A. S., Bourque, S. L., & Davidge, S. T. (2014). Effect of Advanced Maternal Age on Pregnancy Outcomes in the Rat. Poster session presented at the meeting of REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES. Florence, ITALY: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC. 2014 Bourque, S. L., Care, A. S., & Davidge, S. T. (2014). Perinatal Iron Deficiency Increases Susceptibility to Diet-Induced Obesity: Effects of Prenatal Resveratrol Treatment.. Poster session presented at the meeting of REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES. Florence, ITALY: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC. 2010 Jasper, M. J., Care, A. S., Sullivan, B., Ingman, W. V., Aplin, J. D., & Robertson, S. A. (2010). Uterine epithelial cell fucosylated structures are regulated by macrophages during early pregnancy in mouse. Poster session presented at the meeting of JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY. Palm Grove, AUSTRALIA: ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD.
DOI2010 Care, A. S., Jasper, M. J., Ingman, W. V., & Robertson, S. A. (2010). Macrophages are essential for maintenance of corpus luteum function in early pregnancy. Poster session presented at the meeting of Meeting Abstracts, as published in Biology of Reproduction. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Society for the Study of Reproduction.
Grants and Funding
2022-2024 | The immune response as a determinant of female reproductive investment. | CI-A Robertson SA, CI-B Care AS, AI Garratt M | ARC Discovery Grant | $636,438 |
2021-2025 | A novel interaction between the immune and vascular systems in early-onset preeclampsia: An opportunity for new treatments? | CI-A Care AS, CI-B Parry L, CI-C Moldenhauer L | NHMRC Ideas Grant | $921,622 |
2019-2022 |
Immune cells in preeclampsia – a target for cardiovascular disease? |
CI-A Care AS |
Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowship |
$520,000 |
2018 |
Vevo 3100 Ultrasound Biomicroscope for the Adelaide Biomed City Precinct |
CI-A Gatford K, CI-B Care AS |
Ian Potter Foundation Medical Research Grant |
$200,000 |
2018-2019 |
The utility of resveratrol in improving fetal growth in complicated pregnancies |
CI-A Care AS; AIs Robertson SA, Davidge ST, Moldenhauer LM, O'Leary S |
Channel 7 Children's Research Foundation |
$74,260 |
2015-2017 |
Inflammatory cytokines as causal agents in peri-conception programming of offspring health/ APP1079150 |
CI-A Robertson SA, CI-B Thompson JG, CI-C Brown H, AI Care AS |
NHMRC |
$585,276 |
2013-2017 |
Effects of Advanced Maternal Age on Vascular Adaptations in Pregnancy and Subsequent Maternal and Offspring Cardiovascular Health |
Care AS is a co-investigator with CI-A Davidge ST. |
Canadian Institutes of Health and Research (CIHR) |
CAD $563,708 |
2015-2018 |
Impaired cardiovascular-immune interactions in preeclampsia |
CI-A Care AS |
NHMRC CJ Martin Early Career Fellowship |
$330,948 |
2013-2014 |
Postdoctoral Fellowship |
CI-A Care AS |
Heart and Stroke Foundation Canada (HSFC) |
CAD $83,000 |
2013- 2014 |
Postdoctoral Fellowship |
CI-A Care AS |
Alberta Innovates Health Solutions (AIHS) |
CAD $165,000 |
2007- 2010 |
Postgraduate Scholarship |
Care AS |
NHMRC Dora Lush Biomedical Scholarship |
$79,209 |
2011 |
Frontiers in Reproduction Scholar – 6 week training course at MLB, USA. |
Care AS |
Marine Biological Laboratory, Burroughs Wellcome Fund |
USD $6,500 |
Postgraduate Teaching
2017-present | Assessor, Honours Research Projects, Adelaide Medical School |
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2017-present | Assessor, Honours Research Projects, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine |
Undergraduate Teaching
Teaching Assistant, University of South Australia, Australia
Teaching and laboratory demonstrations for undergraduate 1st year Physiology 100 students.
Thesis Examination
University of Auckland (2019)
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Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2024 Co-Supervisor Paternal MHC disparity and maternal immune adaptation to pregnancy. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Le Phuong Uyen Pham 2021 Principal Supervisor Immune cells in preeclampsia – a target for cardiovascular disease prevention? Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Evangeline Alice Ksenija Lovell -
Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2019 - 2021 Co-Supervisor The role of macrophages in vascular adaptation to pregnancy in mice Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Holly Michelle Groome -
Other Supervision Activities
Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name 2019 - 2020 Principal Supervisor The utility of resveratrol in expanding regulatory T cell populations to improve pregnancy outcome University of Adelaide - Honours Full Time Shanna Hosking 2018 - 2019 Principal Supervisor The effect of regulatory T cell deficiency on fetal growth and uterine artery remodelling University of Adelaide - Honours Full Time Jacqueline Humphries
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Committee Memberships
Date Role Committee Institution Country 2019 - ongoing Member Government Affairs Committee Society for Reproductive Investigation United States 2018 - ongoing Co-Chair In-Training Membership Committee Society for Reproductive Investigation United States 2017 - 2018 Co-Chair Local Organising Committee Society for Reproductive Biology Australia 2017 - ongoing Council In-Training Membership Committee Society for Reproductive Investigation United States 2014 - 2016 Vice-President Postdoctoral Fellows Association, VP Communication University of Alberta Canada -
Memberships
Date Role Membership Country 2017 - ongoing Member Healthy Development Adelaide Australia 2012 - ongoing Member Women and Children’s Health Research Institute Canada 2012 - ongoing Member Society for Reproductive Investigation United States 2011 - ongoing Member Society for the Study of Reproduction United States 2007 - ongoing Member Society for Reproductive Biology Australia -
Editorial Boards
Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country 2019 - ongoing Board Member Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease Cambridge University Press Australia
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