Dr. Ashley Moffett

Biography

Professor Ashley Moffett is an Emeritus Professor of Reproductive Immunology at the University of Cambridge. His research focuses on understanding how the maternal immune system regulates placentation in humans, specifically through interactions of uterine leukocytes such as Natural Killer (NK) cells and their receptors with HLA class ligands on fetal trophoblast cells. His work aims to elucidate the genetic factors influencing pregnancy outcomes, conducting studies that link maternal Killer-cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptor (KIR) genes with fetal HLA-C molecules. These polymorphic genetic combinations have been associated with variations in normal birth weight within populations in Europe and Africa. He is also working on culturing human trophoblast cells to study pregnancy disorders, aiming to isolate and culture these cells from early pregnancies. Additionally, Professor Moffett is involved with the Maternal Health Research Unit at Makerere University in Uganda, investigating the links between KIR/HLA-C genetic variants and conditions such as pre-eclampsia and puerperal sepsis. He leads these themes under the Wellcome Trust Centre for Global Health Research. Prof. Moffett collaborates closely with colleagues such as Dr. Francesco Colucci in his research endeavors.

Research Interests