In February 2010, the March of Dimes Prematurity Research Initiative (PRI) awarded $2.6 million for grants to seven researchers. Since PRI began in 2005, it has distributed over $15 million. The goal is to encourage research aimed at predicting or preventing preterm birth. The 2010 grantees are:

Dr. Iain L. Buxton, University of Nevada School of Medicine, is investigating protein structures that remove potassium from cells and help to keep the uterus relaxed during pregnancy. These structures may play a role in preterm birth. This research could help to identify women at high risk of premature delivery and lead to the development of drugs to prevent or stop preterm labor.

Dr. Martin Hewison, University of California, Los Angeles, is studying whether vitamin D can protect women against the risk of preterm labor and birth. The research is focusing particularly on women who have infections of the uterus and placenta. This study could lead to the development of inexpensive vitamin D supplementation that could help prevent infection-related preterm births.

Dr. Emmet Hirsch, University of Chicago, is investigating the role infections play in triggering preterm labor. Infections are involved in about half of all spontaneous preterm deliveries, especially the earliest ones that have the poorest outcomes. This work will contribute to a better understanding of preterm labor and possible treatments to prevent it.

Dr. Stephen Lye, University of Toronto, Canada, is studying the role of inflammation in both term and preterm labor. Because of inflammation, certain while blood cells are attracted to the uterus where they contribute to the chain of events that lead to contractions. This research could lead to the development of drugs that would block preterm labor.

Dr. Sam Mesiano, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, is examining the role that the hormones estrogen and progesterone play in the onset of labor. The biological events that normally start labor are poorly understood. This study could lead to drug treatments to halt preterm labor and prevent premature delivery.

Dr. Jeffrey C. Murray, University of Iowa, is investigating how genetics and the environment interact to cause preterm birth. The goal is to identify the complex causes of spontaneous preterm labor and birth, which is essential in learning how to predict and prevent prematurity.