Lab of Anna Knight, PhD | Emory School of Medicine

Research in this lab focuses on the role of epigenetics and the microbiome in reproductive aging and infertility.

Approximately 11% of couples in the United States experience infertility, and sociodemographic trends suggest this may increase as couples are delaying pregnancy into their late 30s and early 40s. However, only 40% of IVF cycles result in a live birth in women under 35 years of age, with a well-known decline with advancing maternal age. Research in this lab focuses on the roles of epigenetics and the vaginal microbiome in predicting IVF success and better understanding reproductive aging and its related processes.

Current Studies:

Epigenetics of Reproductive Aging and Infertility

Reproductive aging results in a decline of a woman’s ovarian reserve and oocyte quality until she reaches menopause. The mechanisms behind this decline are largely unknown but may be due to changes in DNA methylation. We have shown that ovarian reserve in women undergoing in vitro fertilization is associated with accelerated epigenetic aging, which refers to the difference between a person’s chronological age and biological age that we can calculate using DNA methylation data. The goal of this project is to provide insight into differences in DNA methylation associated with infertility, in vitro fertilization success, and long-term health.

The Vaginal Microbiome in Infertility

The vaginal microbiome serves as a potentially modifiable factor that may impact in vitro fertilization success, but changes in the vaginal microbiome throughout treatment have not been well established. Projects will evaluate how the vaginal microbiome changes throughout in vitro fertilization within the same woman, the impact of prophylactic antibiotics, and its associations with in vitro fertilization outcomes.

We are very thankful to the following organizations for supporting this work

Previous:

BIRCWH program

Current:

GA CTSA