Duke University School of Medicine
The Schust Laboratory investigates placental development and maternal-fetal interactions using innovative trophoblast and organoid model systems. Our research focuses on understanding the mechanisms that regulate trophoblast differentiation, placental function, and maternal immune tolerance during pregnancy, with the ultimate goal of improving maternal and fetal health.
A major strength of our program is the development and application of advanced 2D and 3D placental models, including trophoblast stem cells, trophoblast organoids, blastoids, endometrial organoids, co-culture systems, and assembloids that recapitulate key aspects of early pregnancy. These platforms enable us to investigate developmental processes that are otherwise inaccessible in vivo and provide powerful tools for both mechanistic studies and translational research.
Our laboratory investigates both normal placental development and pregnancy disorders, with a particular emphasis on preeclampsia (PE). Supported by NIH-funded research programs and a generous donation from the Szulick Family Foundation, our PE studies utilize patient-derived stem cell models, trophoblast organoids, blastoids, and single-cell technologies to identify molecular pathways that contribute to abnormal placentation and maternal disease. We integrate functional studies with clinical datasets to bridge mechanistic discoveries and patient outcomes, with the ultimate goal of developing improved strategies for prediction, prevention, and treatment of PE.
In parallel, we apply our placental model systems to study how environmental and metabolic exposures influence placental function and fetal development. Ongoing projects examine the effects of environmental contaminants, including PFAS and THC exposure, as well as metabolic stressors associated with obesity, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance. These studies aim to identify pathways through which environmental and maternal factors alter trophoblast behavior, placental development, and pregnancy outcomes.
We are particularly interested in the complex interactions that occur at the maternal-fetal interface, including communication among trophoblasts, decidual stromal cells, endothelial cells, and immune cells. By integrating advanced cell culture systems with single-cell and bulk transcriptomics, imaging, immunology, bioinformatics, and clinical sample analysis, we seek to uncover fundamental mechanisms governing placental health and disease.
Through the integration of stem cell-based model systems, translational pregnancy research, and patient-derived specimens, our laboratory aims to develop new approaches for understanding, preventing, and treating pregnancy complications while improving reproductive outcomes for mothers and infants.
Several projects are taking place in the lab, to learn more about them, please look at the projects.
Grants
Duke Women’s Reproductive Health Research Scholars
Funder: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Years: 2020–2030
Impact of Chronic Prenatal THC Exposure on SIV-associated Inflammation and Impairments in Placental and Fetal Development(NIH)
Funder: Tulane University
Years: 2025–2030
PFAS Exposure Is Detrimental to Placental Function and Fetal Development by Disrupting Mitochondrial Function and Metabolism
Funder: National Institutes of Health
Years: 2025–2029
Duke University Program in Environmental Health
Funder: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Years: 2019–2029
RSDP – American Society for Reproductive Medicine – Liz Rubin
Funder: American Society for Reproductive Medicine
Years: 2024–2028
Reproductive Scientist Development Program(NIH)
Funder: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Years: 2023–2028
Modeling Normal and Abnormal Trophoblasts(NIH)
Funder: University of Missouri – Columbia
Years: 2023–2028
Reproductive Scientist Development Program – GOG Foundation
Funder: GOG Foundation
Years: 2025–2027
Reproductive Scientist Development Program – Robin Skory
Funder: American Society for Reproductive Medicine
Years: 2023–2027
Reproductive Scientist Development Program – ABOG
Funder: American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Years: 2023–2026
