Placental Pathophysiology: Given its physical and functional roles as the interface between the fetus and its mother, the placenta controls fetal development and pregnancy outcome. Dr. Schlafer's research program deals with understanding mechanisms through which placental diseases develop, and, in turn, how placental function and fetal well-being are affected. This work also seeks to clarify how damaged placentas compensate for functional insufficiency. In recent years, they have investigated mechanisms responsible for the high rate of loss of cloned cattle and have shown that abnormal expression of MHC Class 1 antigens induce a maternal inflammatory response that is associated with these failed pregnancies. He is also interested in comparative reproductive pathology, and have spent sabbatical leaves at Oxford University and the San Diego Zoo.