The Art
of
Science

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Blueprint of Lifeline

It may be a temporary organ, but the placenta is a powerhouse—funneling oxygen, nutrients and hormones from pregnant person to baby. When it doesn’t develop or function properly, the consequences can be serious, including pregnancy loss, preeclampsia and premature birth.

Stephen Renaud, PhD, is uncovering how the placenta develops and why it sometimes goes wrong, focusing on the cells that build it and how they interact with the immune system during pregnancy.

Immunofluorescence microscopy shows two placental cell layers separating maternal and fetal blood flow. Image supplied by PhD candidate Megan Lave, BMSC’23.

The Beating Edge of Imaging

What if we could watch the heart at work—see the blood move, chambers fill and tissue react in real time? That’s the vision driving research that could transform common hospital equipment into a life-saving diagnostic tool.

Aaron So, PhD, is enhancing standard computed tomography (CT) technology to measure blood flow and heart function, aiming to better detect heart attacks and coronary disease and to guide treatment.

A cardiac perfusion scan captures contrast dye as it moves through the heart. Image supplied by Brittany Sinclair, research manager at the Centre for Translational Radiographic Imaging.

The Mechanics of Mobility

Understanding how orthopaedic implants perform over time is key to helping patients move better for longer.

Matthew Teeter, PhD’12, is pioneering new ways to evaluate implants using advanced imaging and motion analysis. His team studies how joint replacements wear, shift and function inside the body, aiming to improve long-term patient outcomes.

A computed tomography (CT) scan shows a knee with a metal implant; specialized colour mapping highlights the shape and alignment of the joint. Image supplied by Matthew Teeter.