Prof Donna Geddes is the Director of the Human Lactation Research Group at The University of Western Australia. Her research programme approaches human lactation as a biological system and combines multiple disciplines and modalities to unravel the mechanisms by which lactation confers benefits to both the mother and baby. Donna’s team and her collaborators can analyse multiple components in breast milk including macronutrients, immune proteins, trace elements, adipokines, lipids and microbes and much more. In addition, unique to the group is the ability to measure milk production. It is apparent that milk composition dynamicity is related to the maternal environment however, it is also reflective of physiological processes within the breast. Thus, specific milk components may act as biomarkers that are predictive of conditions such as mastitis, and low or high milk production. Prof Geddes’ team is currently working on biomarker discovery with the aim of bringing point-of-care sensors to women, enabling personalized lactation care with the ultimate aim of extending breastfeeding and enhancing the health of our mums and babies.
