The Maternal and Fetal Research Centre was established at St Mary's Hospital in March 2001, as part of a joint initiative between Tommy's and the University of Manchester. The group is led by Professor Philip Baker, who would like the unit to become the focus of obstetric research for the North-West.

The main focus of the centre is initially to be laboratory-based research, but the remit will extend to clinical research into pregnancy disorders.

This centre will be undertaking research into pre-eclampsia, and will be focusing on the pathological causes of the disease. They will also be looking at the physiological causes of why women go into labour and the causes of intrauterine growth restriction in pregnancy.

Professor Baker says
"The commitment of Tommy's to supporting the centre is vital to maintaining and sustaining our attempts to answer the fundamental questions relating to these serious pregnancy complications."