Premature birth and brain development
Early origins of health and disease
How can we protect the brains of premature babies?
Led by Dr Gemma Sullivan, University of Edinburgh
Part of the funding for this award was made possible by the generous gift of Audrey and Ronald Ramsey.
Every year, around 15 million babies are born prematurely worldwide. Premature birth is a leading cause of brain injury in childhood, with boys particularly vulnerable. Yet, we still do not fully understand why boys’ and girls’ brains respond differently to premature birth, and there are currently no treatments specifically designed to protect the developing brain.
As a neonatal doctor and scientist, Gemma’s mission is to help change this, giving every baby the best possible start in life, no matter how early they arrive. Her research explores how the environment around birth shapes brain development and lifelong health. Using 3D mini-brains grown in the laboratory, she studies how brain cells interact in boys and girls, and how they respond to early life challenges, such as infection.
With the Emerging Leaders Prize funding, she will advance this work by investigating sex differences in oligodendrocytes — specialised brain cells that produce myelin, the protective coating around nerves. These cells are particularly vulnerable to premature birth, and damage to them can contribute to lifelong difficulties with movement, learning, and communication. By understanding how oligodendrocytes respond differently in boys and girls, Gemma hopes to lay the foundations for more effective, personalised ways to protect the developing brain.
The prize will also support Gemma’s development as an independent research leader through advanced technical training, science communication and international collaboration. She will host a summit bringing together UK experts and people with lived experience of preterm birth, creating opportunities to share knowledge and ensuring that the experiences of babies and families help inform future research priorities. Together, these activities will strengthen research partnerships and help pave the way for better brain and lifelong health in babies born prematurely.