Jennifer Condon

The Condon laboratory focuses on defining the molecular mechanisms that regulate gestational length in order to understand the processes that lead to the onset of term and preterm birth. The success of a pregnancy is in part dependent upon the capacity of the pregnant uterine myocyte to maintain a quiescence phenotype despite being exposed to potential uterotonic, intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli across gestation. For an appropriate gestational length to be achieved the pregnant uterine myocyte must detect, tolerate and adapt to pregnancy-associated uterotonic provocations. The Condon lab examines the capacity of the uterine myocyte endoplasmic reticulum stress response to detect potential uterotonic events and generate a tocolytic signaling cascade to accommodate quiescence during these transitional episodes. Our preliminary data suggests that the uterine myocyte endoplasmic reticulum stress response and its related unfolded protein response regulate uterine contractile potential during pregnancy in a caspase 3, dependent manner.