Dr Melanie Laird
| Position | Research Fellow |
|---|---|
| Department | Department of Anatomy |
| Research summary | Evolutionary biology |
| Memberships |
|
Research
I am an evolutionary and comparative biologist with a specific research interest in marsupial reproduction.
My work spans a range of disciplines, including genetics, epigenetics, reproduction, development and evolutionary biology. I'm interested in big picture questions that address how and why biological patterns arise.
I am currently investigating several aspects of marsupial?reproduction, including how immature gametes develop successfully and how adult prostates turn ‘on’ and ‘off’ as part of seasonal breeding. Understanding the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms involved in these phenomena can shed light on the evolutionary processes that have shaped mammalian reproduction.
Publications
Laird, M. K., & Hore, T. A. (2021). Primordial germ cell expression of SSEA1 and DDX4 (VASA) in female Trichosurus vulpecula (Marsupialia) reveals conserved and unique molecular patterns during marsupial germ cell development. Reproduction, Fertility & Development, 33, 189-197. doi: 10.1071/RD20203
Laird, M. K., Hansen, V. L., McAllan, B. M., Murphy, C. R., & Thompson, M. B. (2020). Uterine epithelial remodelling during pregnancy in the marsupial Monodelphis domestica (Didelphidae): Implications for mammalian placental evolution. Journal of Anatomy, 236, 1126-1136. doi: 10.1111/joa.13162
Laird, M., & Whittington, C. (2019). The first known case of eggs plus live birth from one pregnancy in a tiny lizard. Science Education News, 68(3), 47-49.
Laird, M. K., Thompson, M. B., & Whittington, C. M. (2019). Facultative oviparity in a viviparous skink (Saiphos equalis). Biology Letters, 15(4), 20180827. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2018.0827
Laird, M. K., McShea, H., Murphy, C. R., McAllan, B. M., Shaw, G., Renfree, M. B., & Thompson, M. B. (2018). Non-invasive placentation in the marsupials Macropus eugenii (Macropodidae) and Trichosurus vulpecula (Phalangeridae) involves redistribution of uterine Desmoglein-2. Molecular Reproduction & Development, 85(1), 72-82. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22940
Laird, M. K., & Hore, T. A. (2021). Primordial germ cell expression of SSEA1 and DDX4 (VASA) in female Trichosurus vulpecula (Marsupialia) reveals conserved and unique molecular patterns during marsupial germ cell development. Reproduction, Fertility & Development, 33, 189-197. doi: 10.1071/RD20203
Journal - Research Article
Laird, M. K., Hansen, V. L., McAllan, B. M., Murphy, C. R., & Thompson, M. B. (2020). Uterine epithelial remodelling during pregnancy in the marsupial Monodelphis domestica (Didelphidae): Implications for mammalian placental evolution. Journal of Anatomy, 236, 1126-1136. doi: 10.1111/joa.13162
Journal - Research Article
Laird, M. K., Thompson, M. B., & Whittington, C. M. (2019). Facultative oviparity in a viviparous skink (Saiphos equalis). Biology Letters, 15(4), 20180827. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2018.0827
Journal - Research Article
Laird, M., & Whittington, C. (2019). The first known case of eggs plus live birth from one pregnancy in a tiny lizard. Science Education News, 68(3), 47-49.
Journal - Research Article
Laird, M. K., McShea, H., Murphy, C. R., McAllan, B. M., Shaw, G., Renfree, M. B., & Thompson, M. B. (2018). Non-invasive placentation in the marsupials Macropus eugenii (Macropodidae) and Trichosurus vulpecula (Phalangeridae) involves redistribution of uterine Desmoglein-2. Molecular Reproduction & Development, 85(1), 72-82. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22940
Journal - Research Article
Whittington, C. M., O'Meally, D., Laird, M. K., Belov, K., Thompson, M. B., & McAllan, B. M. (2018). Transcriptomic changes in the pre-implantation uterus highlight histotrophic nutrition of the developing marsupial embryo. Scientific Reports, 8(1), 2412. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-20744-z
Journal - Research Article
Laird, M. K., Dargan, J. R., Paterson, L., Murphy, C. R., McAllan, B. M., Shaw, G., … Thompson, M. B. (2017). Uterine molecular changes for non-invasive embryonic attachment in the marsupials Macropus eugenii (Macropodidae) and Trichosurus vulpecula (Phalangeridae). Molecular Reproduction & Development, 84(10), 1076-1085. doi: 10.1002/mrd.22861
Journal - Research Article
Laird, M. K., McShea, H., McAllan, B. M., Murphy, C. R., & Thompson, M. B. (2017). Uterine remodelling during pregnancy and pseudopregnancy in the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula; Phalangeridae). Journal of Anatomy, 231(1), 84-94. doi: 10.1111/joa.12610
Journal - Research Article
Laird, M. K., Turancova, M., McAllan, B. M., Murphy, C. R., & Thompson, M. B. (2017). Uterine focal adhesion dynamics during pregnancy in a marsupial (Sminthopsis crassicaudata; Dasyuridae). Anatomical Record, 300(6), 1150-1159. doi: 10.1002/ar.23535
Journal - Research Article
Laird, M. K., Hearn, C. M., Shaw, G., & Renfree, M. B. (2016). Uterine morphology during diapause and early pregnancy in the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). Journal of Anatomy, 229(3), 459-472. doi: 10.1111/joa.12483
Journal - Research Article
Laird, M. K., Turancova, M., McAllan, B. M., Murphy, C. R., & Thompson, M. B. (2015). Unlocking amniote live birth: The 'other' mammalian model. Journal & Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales, 148(455-456), 52-59.
Journal - Research Article
Laird, M. K., Thompson, M. B., Murphy, C. R., & McAllan, B. M. (2014). Uterine epithelial cell changes during pregnancy in a marsupial (Sminthopsis crassicaudata; Dasyuridae). Journal of Morphology, 275(10), 1081-1092. doi: 10.1002/jmor.20282
Journal - Research Article
