Professor Stephen Tong’s team at Mercy Perinatal is developing novel diagnostics that flag mothers and babies at risk, so they can be safely treated before adverse outcomes occur. The concept is simple. Many major pregnancy complications occur because the placenta – the life support system – fails. The team is hunting for molecules in the mum’s blood that are increased (or decreased) during the window of time when the placenta is unwell and starting to fail. Using these diagnostics, Stephen's team aims to swiftly identify those at the highest risk and deliver life-saving treatments for our most vulnerable mothers and babies.