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Updated: May 19, 2026
06:51
Microfluidic Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis Incorporating Human Neonatal Intestinal Enteroids and a Dysbiotic Microbiome
Published on: July 28, 2023
Performing discovery-driven neonatal research by transcriptomic analysis of routinely discarded biofluids
Jill L Maron1, Jessica A Dietz, Christopher Parkin
1Department of Pediatrics, The Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA. jmaron@tuftsmedicalcenter.org
Summary
Neonatal saliva and cord blood transcriptomes reveal key pathways in infant development. These biofluids offer valuable gene expression data for understanding newborn physiology and pathology.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Neonatal research
- Transcriptomics
Background:
- Neonatal physiological and pathological processes are complex.
- Understanding gene expression in newborns is crucial for early diagnosis and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the transcriptomes of neonatal saliva and cord blood.
- To identify key gene expression pathways in these biofluids.
Main Methods:
- Collected saliva and cord blood samples from term infants (n=10 each).
- Performed RNA extraction, amplification, and gene expression microarray analysis.
- Utilized Ingenuity Pathway Analysis to identify over-represented biological pathways.
Main Results:
- Identified 303 genes in saliva and 282 in cord blood; 114 were common.
- Pathway analysis highlighted redox balance, cell proliferation, and smooth muscle relaxation.
- Predominant pathways included hematopoiesis and immune response in blood, and gastrointestinal system in saliva.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal cord blood and saliva are rich sources of transcriptomic data.
- These biofluids can provide real-time gene expression insights.
- They are valuable for elucidating neonatal physiology and pathology.
