Investigating the cervical mucus plug during pregnancy

The cervical mucus plug is thought to prevent infections and thereby reduce the risk of preterm birth. However, the scientific evidence supporting this mechanism is still vague.

"I have long been convinced that a better understanding of mucus protection during pregnancy could be a potential way to prevent these children from being born prematurely. While nothing is certain, I am very grateful that the ERC is supporting our attempt to learn more," says George Birchenough, who will conduct detailed laboratory experiments over the next few years to investigate the cervical mucus plug.

He is part of a large research consortium at Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, which has been highly successful in studying the protective mucus found in the intestines and airways:

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"Fortunately, much of the knowledge and tools developed through research on intestinal and lung mucus can be relatively easily adapted to study mucus in the cervix. As a researcher, it is exciting to shift focus and study the female reproductive system," he says.

Reducing the risk of preterm birth

His research team will work to define exactly what regulates the development of the cervical mucus plug, identify how certain bacterial species can bypass the plug to cause infection, and examine how the plug's protective properties change in mothers at risk of preterm delivery.

"I hope our work will give us a deeper understanding of female reproductive biology, which in turn can be used to develop precise interventions to reduce infant mortality," says Birchenough.

The research is conducted in close collaboration with clinical researchers in obstetrics. Key partners include Professor Bo Jacobsson, who leads the Sahlgrenska Perinatal Laboratory at the University of Gothenburg, as well as researchers at King’s College London.

Significant EU funding

The project has recently been granted five years of funding through the ERC Consolidator Grant, providing a total of 2 million euros (equivalent to more than 23 million Swedish kronor) for the research.

George Birchenough highlights another researcher at the University of Gothenburg, Lina Bergman, who recently received significant EU funding for her research on preeclampsia. He notes that both are part of the WCMTM research network:

"This demonstrates the great potential for high-impact research within WCMTM. It is even more remarkable that both projects focus on women's health in relation to pregnancy. Hopefully, this success will inspire more researchers to engage in this historically neglected field," says George Birchenough.