Warwick Medical School

Site logo

Prof Steve Thornton

[c]

Steven Thornton

TITLE   

Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Associate Dean (Clinical Research) WMS



CONTACT   

Clinical Sciences Research Institute
Room B020
University of Warwick
Warwick Medical School
Coventry
CV4 7AL 		Tel: 024 7657 5593
Fax: 024 7657 5343
Email: S.Thornton@warwick.ac.uk
Web Link

 

RESEARCH PROFILE


The Preterm Labour Research Group undertakes scientific and clinical research with the ultimate aim of reducing prematurity related mortality and illness. The work ranges from clinical studies to focused scientific investigations in isolated tissue and cells. Our clinical studies translate the scientific findings into improvements in clinical care. An example of this type work is the use of electromyography to measure uterine contractions so that we can better diagnose preterm labour. This will, if successful, enable appropriate treatment to be targeted to those women who will benefit. Our scientific work aims to understand the normal and abnormal processes which lead to premature labour. It is only by understanding these that we can develop improved methods for treating preterm labour. Our scientific work focuses on the role of oxytocin and prostaglandins which are fundamental for labour. The group also interacts with a number of pharmaceuticals partners to develop new drug treatments for preterm labour. We also have a major interest in using systems biology to address important questions on myometrial physiology.

RESEARCH GROUPS


  • Reproduction

BACKGROUND


Professor Steve Thornton was appointed as Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Warwick in 1998. He became Associate Dean (Research) in Warwick Medical School in 2004. Since 2005 he has also held the post of Associate Medical Director (R&D) at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust (UHCW). The recent development of the Comprehensive Clinical Research Network (CCRN) for West Midlands South has provided new research opportunities which will unite primary, acute, mental health and ambulance Trusts. He became the Clinical Director for the CCRN in 2007. Professor Thornton has served on numerous committees for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). Following terms for the Academic, Scientific Advisory and Wellbeing for Women Committees, he has now become Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee. He has also worked with the RCOG and the British Maternal Fetal Medicine Society (BMFMS) to develop Clinical Study Groups (CSGs) for obstetrics and gynaecology research. He is the Chair of the Preterm Labour CSG. Professor Thornton has been elected to membership of the Society for Gynaecologic Investigation (USA) and is a Board Member of the Fetal Medicine Foundation. He also sits on the Executive Committee of the BMFMS and is on the Medical Research Council College of Experts.

CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS


  • Collaboration Agreement for OPTIMMUM - Does progesterone propylaxis to prevent preterm labour improve outcome, University of Edinburgh, Project Start Date: 01/09/2008 Project End Date: 31/08/2013
  • Does Proesterone Propylaxis Prevent Preterm Labour Improve Outcome (OPPTIMUM) Controlled Trial., University of Edinburgh, Project Start Date: 27/01/2008 Project End Date: 31/08/2013
  • Clincal Research Infrastruture and Trials Platforms - Science City Translational Medicine, with Professor Christopher G G Dowson - Biological Sciences, Advantage West Midlands, Project Start Date: 01/08/2008 Project End Date: 31/07/2018

    Further Research Projects

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS


  • Smith, B., Hill, C., Godfrey, E. L., Rand, D., van den Berg, H., Thornton, S., Hodgkin, M., Davey, J., and Ladds, G. (2009) 'Dual positive and negative regulation of GPCR signaling by GTP hydrolysis' Cellular Signalling (0898-6568) [article]
  • Ladds, G., Zervou, S., and Vatish, M., Thornton, S., and Davey, J., (2009) 'Regulators of G protein signalling proteins in the human myometrium' European Journal Of Pharmacology (0014-2999) [article]
  • Thornton, S, Goodwin TM, Greisen G, Hedegaard M & Arce J-C (2008) 'The effect of the selective oxytocin antagonist, barusiban, in threatened preterm labour at late gestational age: a randomised double blind placebo-controlled trial.' American Journal Of Obstetrics And Gynecology (in press)
  • Barlow JH, Hainsworth JM & Thornton S (2008) 'Women's experiences of hospitalisation with hypertension during pregnancy: feeling a fraud.' Journal Of Reproduction And Fertility 26 157 - 167
  • Blanks AM, Zhao ZH, Shmygol A, Bru-Mercier G, Astle S, Thornton S. (2007) 'Characterization of the molecular and electrophysiological properties of the T-type calcium channel in human myometrium.' Journal Of Physiology 15 (581 (Pt 3)), 915 - 926

Further Publications

Conference Papers

Update My Profile on the Warwick eRA Portal My Profile last updated: 08/01/2010

Page contact: Steven Thornton Last revised: Tue 19 Dec 2006
Back to top of page
 

Web site search

People search

News

News.