Congratulations: NWO-XS Funding for "Trojan Horses in the Womb"

Trojan Horses in the Womb: Small Extracellular Vesicles as Carriers of Air Pollution to the Fetal Brain
Air pollution is a major global health concern, and emerging evidence shows that harmful black carbon particles can reach the unborn child during pregnancy. This project investigates a novel mechanism behind this process: small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), nano-sized particles released by cells, may act as “Trojan horses” that transport both pollution particles and inflammatory molecular signals from mother to fetus.

Using cord blood samples from an established birth cohort, we isolate placental and fetal brain–derived vesicles to examine whether they carry black carbon and pollution-associated microRNAs and cytokines. Advanced laser microscopy and RNA sequencing are combined to track black carbon across vesicle subtypes and to identify molecular signatures linked to inflammation and early brain development.

By uncovering how environmental exposures are biologically transmitted during pregnancy, this high-risk, high-reward project aims to advance our understanding of fetal vulnerability to air pollution and to lay the groundwork for improved biomarkers and preventive strategies to protect brain development before birth.