Anna Ponnampalam

Research Fellow
B.Tech, PhD (Monash)

Contact details

Phone: +64 9 923 2115
Email: a.ponnampalam@auckland.ac.nz

Research interests

• Epigenetic regulation of implantation of the embryo.
• Gene expression and regulation of human endometrium during the menstrual cycle.
• The role of myostatin on placenta.
• Reproductive immunology.
• Placental regulation of parturition.

I have been involved in the investigation of the changing global gene expression profile of the endometrium during my PhD and have also investigated candidate genes for premature ovarian failure. I have extensive knowledge on steroid hormone regulation of implantation and physiological and morphological changes of endometrium in preparation for embryo implantation. Studies range from whole human endometrial physiology to organ cultures to cell biology and molecular biology. I have also gained knowledge of placental function and physiology and the role of the placenta in parturition.

• Lecturer for Clinical Pharmacology and Perinatal Physiology papers at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
• PhD student mentor
• Involved in the LENScience student-scientist mentor programme
• PhD adviser

1. Munro SK, Farquhar CM, Mitchell MD, Ponnampalam AP. Epigenetic regulation of endometrium during the menstrual cycle. Molecular Human Reproduction 2010 Feb 5.

2. Peiris HN, Ponnampalam AP, Osepchook CC, Mitchell MD, Green MP.

3. Placental expression of myostatin and follistatin like-3 protein in a model of developmental programming. American Journal of Physiology: Endocrinology and Metabolism 2010 Jan 26.

4. Ponnampalam AP, Gargett CE and Rogers PAW. Identification and hormonal regulation of a novel form of NKp30 in human endometrial epithelium. European Journal of Immunology 2008; 38(1): 216-226.

5. Ponnampalam AP and Rogers PAW. Cyclic changes and hormonal regulation of ANXA4 in human endometrium. Molecular Human Reproduction 2006; 12(11): 661-669.

6. Chand AL, Ponnampalam AP, Harris SE, Winship IM and Shelling AN. Mutational analysis of BMP15 and GDF9 as candidate genes for premature ovarian failure. Fertility and Sterility. 2006; 86(4): 1009-1012.

7. Ponnampalam AP, Weston GC, Trajstman AC, Susil B and Rogers PAW. Molecular classification of human endometrial cycle stages by transcriptional profiling. Molecular Human Reproduction. 2004; 10(12): 879-893.

Faculty Development Fund