Dr Andrew Sharkey

Research interests: I am interested in how maternal and embryonic cells interact to achieve successful implantation and pregnancy. Specific interests include: the molecular mechanisms underlying  embryo attachment to the endometrium, the diagnosis and treatment of infertility and development of novel approaches to contraception. I am also interested in how fetally-derived placental cells interact with the maternal immune system in the uterus to achieve successful co-existence of genetically different mother and fetus. When this system fails, abnormal placental development can result, leading to common diseases of pregnancy including pre-eclampsia, miscarriage and fetal growth restriction.

I am a member of the Centre for Trophoblast Research in Cambridge. 

Teaching interests: I lecture on the Part 2 course on implantation and early development the Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience (PDN). I supervise the Endocrinology and Reproductive Sciences module of the 1B pre-clinical medicine course for several colleges. Demonstrator for histopathology practicals in the Pathology department.