Congratulations to Lili Shi on her latest publication, “Quantifying Molecular Changes in the Preeclamptic Rat Placenta with Targeted Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging,” in Molecular Imaging and Biology! This study demonstrates how targeted contrast-enhanced ultrasound (T-CEUS) and a bicompartmental model (BCM) provide a quantitative, high-resolution assessment of placental vascular changes in preeclampsia (PE). The findings reveal improved detection of abnormal placental remodeling, offering potential for earlier diagnosis and better monitoring of PE.

🔬 Read more: DOI: 10.1007/s11307-025-01988-4

This is an exciting step forward in imaging research—well done, Lili!

PhD candidate Andrew Markel attended the 2024 IEEE Utrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control Joint Symposium in Taipei, Taiwan where his presentation was titled “In-Vivo Quantitative Ultrasound Imaging of the Placental Microstructure in a Rat Model of Preeclampsia”.

Preeclampsia is a life-threatening pregnancy disorder associated with abnormal development of the placenta microstructure. The placenta is a complex organ comprised of several layers, each of which is affected differently by preeclampsia. B-mode ultrasound is the gold standard for pregnancy imaging, but does not provide enough information to detect the changes in the placenta that occur during preeclampsia. Quantitative ultrasound deduces information about tissue microstructure by analyzing the radiofrequency signals backscattered from the tissue, and could potentially detect the changes that occur in the placenta. Here, we use an established rat model of preeclampsia to demonstrate how quantitative ultrasound can detect differences in microstructural properties that occur during preeclampsia and differences between the anatomical layers of the placenta. 

Dr. Carolyn Bayer attended the 2024 Society for Reproductive Investigation Conference in Vancouver where she presented her poster titled “Stimulation of the G-Protein Coupled Estrogen Receptor Reduces Placental Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Preeclampsia”.