Borne showcases research impact at SRI 2026
Borne’s research impact was strongly represented at the 73rd Society for Reproductive Investigation (SRI) conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico (25–28 March 2026), held immediately following the Borne Collaborative meeting. Bringing together leading international researchers and clinicians, the conference provided a key platform to highlight progress in pregnancy and preterm birth research.
A major milestone for Borne was the inaugural Borne Lecture, delivered by Professor Sarah England (Washington University Medicine) and introduced by CEO David Badcock. In ‘Rhythms in Pregnancy’, Professor England presented a significant body of research on chronobiology and its influence on pregnancy health—from molecular drivers of uterine contraction to wider links with socioeconomic factors and night-shift work. The lecture prompted discussion around the potential to improve outcomes through more precise timing of therapeutic interventions.
Borne-funded research featured prominently across the scientific programme, demonstrating progress towards improved prediction and understanding of preterm birth. Natalie Suff (King’s College London) presented work on cervical softening as a potential clinical tool for estimating preterm birth risk, while Ann Dell (Imperial College London) highlighted the role of glycobiology in regulating immune tolerance in pregnancy, with ongoing work focusing on a glycoprotein that may be implicated in preterm birth.
Borne’s investment in early career researchers was also clearly evident. PhD students and postdoctoral researchers presented across poster sessions, contributing to the next generation of discovery. Research ranged from the role of immune cells in labour onset (Emily Patterson, Imperial), to data-driven identification of preterm birth sub-types (Oluwanifewa Laleye, King’s College London), and advanced multi-omics approaches to understanding uterine contractions (Pei Lai, Imperial).
Alice Buchan (Imperial) presented a systematic review on biomarkers in preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM), confirming that no reliable predictors of neonatal outcome currently exist and reinforcing the need for continued research, including ongoing work exploring IL-6 in amniotic fluid. Her work was recognised with a 2026 SRI Poster Presentation Award.
Together, these contributions highlight the breadth and impact of Borne-funded research—from fundamental discovery to clinical application—and its growing presence on the international stage.
The next Borne Collaborative meeting will take place alongside SRI 2027 in Glasgow, Scotland.
