Professor Sally Dunwoodie AO and her team are uncovering genetic links that could transform how we understand pregnancy loss.

For families who experience recurrent miscarriage, the search for answers can be long and emotionally draining. In many cases, no clear medical explanation is found, leaving parents without the understanding they need.

The laboratory of Professor Sally Dunwoodie AO at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute has been working to change that. Her team's research has uncovered genetic variants that disrupt a critical biological process known as the NAD de novo synthesis pathway, which plays a vital role in healthy embryonic development.

When this pathway is impaired, it can lead to miscarriage or congenital abnormalities. By identifying the specific genetic changes involved, Professor Dunwoodie's work is helping to build a clearer picture of why some pregnancies fail, and what might be done to prevent it.

The team's findings have attracted international attention and are now being explored as the basis for potential screening tools and therapeutic approaches. The goal is to identify at-risk pregnancies earlier and, ultimately, to develop treatments that could support healthier outcomes.

This area of research sits at the intersection of genetics, reproductive health and developmental biology, and it represents one of the most promising avenues for addressing a challenge that affects millions of families worldwide.

With continued support, Professor Dunwoodie's team will be able to expand their research, move toward clinical trials, and bring new understanding to a condition that has long been under-researched.