Dr Karen Forbes
- Position: Associate Professor of Molecular Endocrinology & Reproduction
- Areas of expertise: Reproductive biology; endocrinology; diabetes; placenta; metabolism; maternal nutrition; placental biology; fetal growth; extracellular vesicles (EVs); vasculature; miRNA; proteomics; cell signalling.
- Email: K.A.Forbes@leeds.ac.uk
- Location: LIGHT Building
- Website: Leeds Pregnancy Reseach Group X Account | X | LinkedIn | Researchgate | ORCID
Profile
I am an Associate Professor of Molecular Endocrinology and Reproduction, leading a research programme that investigates how the maternal metabolic environment shapes placental function, fetal growth, and long-term cardiometabolic health of the offspring. My work focuses particularly on pregnancies complicated by diabetes, with an emphasis on the role of extracellular vesicles and microRNA-mediated signalling in maternal–placental–fetal communication.
My research spans mechanistic studies in human and experimental models through to translational work aimed at identifying early biomarkers and therapeutic targets to improve pregnancy and long-term health outcomes. I have established an international research profile in this field and have published extensively on placental biology, extracellular vesicle signalling, and developmental programming of disease.
Research interests
Current Research Projects
Maternal extracellular vesicles as mediators of inter-organ communication in metabolic pregnancy disease
This programme investigates extracellular vesicle (EV)–mediated crosstalk between maternal tissues, the placenta, and the fetus, and how disruption of this signalling contributes to adverse pregnancy outcomes in diabetes and obesity.
Key collaborators: Prof Eleanor Scott (Leeds); Prof Susan Ozanne (University of Cambridge); Dr Beth Holder (Imperial College London); Prof Jürgen Schneider (Leeds); Prof Lee Roberts (Leeds); Prof Eylem Levelt (Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, Melbourne)
SWEETTALK: Maternal–placental communication in metabolic pregnancy disorders
A joint UK–Germany programme examining immune–metabolic and EV-mediated signalling pathways linking maternal metabolism and placental function in diabetes and obesity.
Collaborator: Prof Sandra Blois (Universität Hamburg)
Extracellular vesicle cargo as predictors of adverse pregnancy outcomes
Identification and validation of maternal EV-based biomarkers for fetal overgrowth, placental dysfunction, and long-term cardiometabolic risk.
Collaborators: Prof Eleanor Scott (Leeds); Prof Alex Heazell (University of Manchester)
Placental vascular development and dysfunction in healthy and complicated pregnancies
Mechanistic analysis of placental vascular structure and signalling in healthy and diabetic pregnancies, integrating histology, advanced imaging, molecular profiling, and novel human placental vascular models.
Collaborators: Prof Eleanor Scott (Leeds); Dr Jayne Charnock (Edge Hill University); Dr Kristina Haase (EMBL Barcelona); Dr Lynn McKeown (Leeds); Dr Paul Meakin (Leeds)
Therapeutic modulation of placental microRNAs to improve fetal growth
Testing whether targeted manipulation of placental microRNA pathways can rescue placental dysfunction and abnormal fetal growth in compromised pregnancies.
Collaborator: Dr Lynda Harris (University of Nebraska Medical Center)
Current Group Members
• Dr Abigail Byford – MRC-funded Postdoctoral Research Fellow
• Georgia Fakonti – Leeds Doctoral Scholarship PhD student (co-supervised with Prof Eleanor Scott and Dr Beth Holder, Imperial College)
• Aimee Green – MSc Molecular Medicine student (intercalating medical student)
• Karina Harmen – MSc by Research student
• Dr Amanda Leow – Obstetrics & Gynaecology Academic Clinical Fellow; Wellbeing of Women Entry Level Scholar (with Dr Nigel Simpson and Prof Eleanor Scott)
• Grace Martin – MRC DiMeN PhD student (co-supervised with Prof Eleanor Scott and Prof Eylem Levelt, Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute)
• Maximilian Lester – BHF-funded 4-year PhD student (co-supervised with Dr Paul Meakin and Dr Lia Pinto)
• Molly Weinbrand – Leeds Doctoral Scholarship PhD student (co-supervised with Prof Eleanor Scott)
Previous Group Members
University of Leeds
I have supervised several PhD, postdoctoral, MSc, MRes, intercalating and visiting researchers including multiple BHF-, MRC-, and BBSRC-funded doctoral trainees, all successfully awarded. Several alumni now hold academic, clinical academic, or research posts nationally and internationally.
University of Manchester
I supervised several PhD and MRes trainees between 2011–2022, all successfully completed with multiple distinctions.
Funding
Research in the Forbes group is supported by: UKRI MRC and BBSRC; British Heart Foundation; Wellbeing of Women; Bioscientifica Trust; JDRF (IIDP Islet Award Initiative); University of Leeds; Society for Endocrinology; Tommy’s.
Other Research & Scholarly Activities
• Member, Society for Endocrinology Science Committee (2024–present)
• Member, Society for Endocrinology Programme Committee (2024–present)
• Convenor, Society for Endocrinology Reproductive Endocrinology & Biology Network (2023–present)
• Editorial Board Member, European Journal of Extracellular Vesicles
• Reviewing Editor, eLife
• Former member, Society for Endocrinology Public Engagement Committee (2019–2023)
• Active mentor for students, postdoctoral researchers, and academic staff
Members of the Forbes Group regularly contribute to public engagement activities including Pint of Science, Be Curious, I’m a Scientist, Skype a Scientist, Soapbox Science, and Letters to a Pre-Scientist.
Qualifications
- PhD Molecular Biochemistry; University of Strathclyde (2005)
- BSc (Hons) Immunology & Pharmacology; University of Strathclyde (2001)
Professional memberships
- Society for Endocrinology
- UK Society for Extracellular Vesicles
- Society for Reproduction and Fertility
- Anatomical Society
- International Federation of Placenta Associations
- International Society for Extracellular Vesicles
Student education
I offer BSc, MSc, MD and PhD research projects spanning reproductive biology and pregnancy, with a particular emphasis on endocrinology, diabetes, nutrition, and the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD). Projects integrate cell and molecular biology approaches to investigate cell signalling pathways, non-coding RNAs, and extracellular vesicle–mediated communication in health and disease. Please contact me to enquire about current projects on offer.
Research groups and institutes
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine
- Discovery and Translational Science
- British Heart Foundation - Cardiovascular research
- Multidisciplinary Cardiovascular Research Centre