ProfLana McClements

My research aims to improve women’s health in Australia and worldwide, through enablement of better
monitoring and treatment options in pregnancy and beyond. Preeclampsia is a leading cause of death in
pregnancy, which currently has limited monitoring options and no cure. Since 2015, I have led
multidisciplinary research teams towards a discovery of new blood-based markers that can identify
women at risk of preeclampsia early in pregnancy. Subsequently, this technology can enable timely
diagnosis hence preventing complications including death. I am a lead inventor on two patents filed that
were licensed to industry for development into new tests for preeclampsia. I also pioneered a highly
sensitive point of care test for preeclampsia that will facilitate immediate clinical decisions and will be
particularly beneficial for remote and rural areas. Still, preeclampsia is a disease without a cure. In parallel,
I have been leading the development of new 3D bioprinted platforms of early placental tissue in
collaboration with industry (Inventia Life Sciences) that will help us to better understand the causes of
preeclampsia, develop more reliable biomarkers and test various treatments towards a cure. This research
has the potential to positively impact the quality of care and save lives of mothers and babies.