Leicester Medical School
Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine

School of Medicine >> Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine >> Staff >> Professor J Konje

Professor Justin Konje

  Telephone (+44) (0) 116 252 5826

  Fax (+44) (0) 116 252 5846

Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building
PO Box 65
Leicester Royal Infirmary
Leicester
LE2 7LX
UK

Head of the Clinical Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Member of the Reproductive Sciences Section

Academic History

June 1982:  MBBS

May 1989:  FMCOG (Fellow of the Medical College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Nigeria)

May 1990:  MRCOG

April 1991:  FWACS (Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons)

July 1997:  MD (University of Leicester)
Title: Transplacental transport and metabolism in small and appropriate for gestational age fetuses.

December 1997:  MBA (Open University)

Background

Justin Konje is a graduate of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.  He started his post graduate training at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Nigeria where he began to develop an interest in research.  He undertook his first prospective study of the effect of subdermally delivered progesterone on carbohydrate metabolism.  He later moved to Hull, then Taunton and the University of Bristol where he was a lecturer.  He moved to Leicester in April 1993 as a Clinical Research Fellow, undertaking research into the transplacental transfer of stable-isotope labelled amino acids.  During this time he described pioneering observations on Fetal Kidneys and further linked these to plasma rennin at birth.  In 1995 he became a lecturer and then a Senior lecturer in 1998.  He was appointed Professor in Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the University of Leicester in 2004.

Justin Konje has had a very wide research portfolio and made several contributions in the field of maternal health in developing countries and seminal observation on fetal growth restriction using Doppler especially colour power Doppler.  His contribution to the understanding of the physiology of fetal growth restriction and physiological mechanism involved especially with regard to vascular adaptations are well known.  These contributions have earned local, national and international recognition and awards.

Current Focus

Justin Konje currently heads the following research groups in the Reproductive Sciences Section of the Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine; - Fetal Growth and Development Research Group and Endocannabinoid Research Group.

The Fetal Growth and Development Research Group concentrate on the aetiology, phenotypes and physiological adaptations in FGR (with the aim of linking this to the fetal origin of adult diseases hypothesis).  The group has collaborations with International Groups in Germany and in the UK.

The Endocannabinoid Research group is investigating the role of exciting molecules in reproduction.  The group is focussing on the regulatory process of the metabolism of Endocannabinoids during the menstrual cycle, implantation various pathological processes and pregnancy.  The work of this group is unique and brings together a group of scientists and physicians.

Grants (selected)

2006 – 2007  Development of a new method of diagnosing pre-term labour and improving fertility treatment.  HIRF - £13,000

2006 – 2008  Biomarkers for maternal health.  PerkinElmer - £460,000.

2006 – 2009  Mirena/Tamoxifen endometrial protection study.  Schering - £355,000.

2002 – 2007 Determination of maternal caffeine intakes associated with increased risk to the fetus – Food Standards Agency - £345,858.

2003 – 2006  The use of the Levonorgestrel intrauterine contraceptive device to prevent endometrial changes induced by Tamoxifen in women with breast cancer - Schering Healthcare - £250,000.00.

2005 – 2007  An evaluation of the role of plasma endocannabinoid, anandamide in the prediction of pre-term delivery – an important cause of significant morbidity and disability.  BUPA - £143,000.

2001 – 2004  MOSAIC – Models of organising access to intensive case for very preterm births: A survey of 10 regional systems - European Union (CEC Framework 5, Quality of Life) - £41,253.00

2002 – 2003   TIMPS Trial - TNO Netherlands - £44,000.00.

2002 – 2003 A pilot observational trial of efficacy of the Levonorgestrel containing intrauterine contraceptive device (Mirena) in the treatment of endometriosis - Schering Health Care - £18,000.00.

2000 – 2001 A pilot observational trial of efficacy of the Levonorgestrel containing intrauterine contraceptive device (Mirena) in the treatment of endometriosis - Schering Health Care - £67, 354.00.

1996 – 1998  Induced malignant and potentially malignant endometrial changes in women on long term treatment with Tamoxifen for breast cancer: can a Levonorgestrel containing intrauterine contraceptive device reverse or suppress them? - Trent Research Scheme - £63,500.00.

Publications (Selected)

Khare, M., Paul S., Konje, SC.  (2006)  Variation in Doppler indices along the length of the cord from the intraabdominal to the placental insertion.  Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 85(8):922-8.

Khare, M., Taylor, A.H., Konje, J.C., Bell, S.C.  (2006).  Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol inhibits cytotrophoblast cell proliferation and modulates gene transcription.  Mol Hum Reprod.  May; 12(5):321-33.

Akkad, A., Hastings, R., Konje, J.C., Bell, S.C., Thurston, H, Williams, B.  (2006). Telomere length in small-for-gestational-age babies.  BJOG. Mar; 113(3):318-23.

Khare, M., Howarth, E, Sadler, J, Healey, K, Konje J.C.  (2005)  A comparison of prenatal versus postnatal karyotyping for the investigation of intrauterine fetal death after the first trimester of pregnancy.  Prenat Diagn.  Dec; 25(13):1192-5.

Potdar, N., Konje, J.C.  (2005)  The endocrinological basis of recurrent miscarriages.  Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol.  Aug; 17(4):424-8. Review.

Howarth, E.S., Draper, E.S., Budd, J.L., Konje, J.C., Clarke, M., Kurinczuk, J.J.  (2005). Population-based study of the outcome following the prenatal diagnosis of cystic hygroma.  Prenat Diagn.  Apr; 25(4):286-91

Konje, J.C., Abrams, K.R., Taylor, D.J.  (2005). Normative values of Doppler velocimetry of five major fetal arteries as determined by color power angiography.  Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. Mar; 84(3):230-7.

Lockhat, F.B., Emembolu, J.E., Konje, J.C.  (2005). Serum and peritoneal fluid levels of levonorgestrel in women with endometriosis who were treated with an intrauterine contraceptive device containing levonorgestrel.  Fertil Steril.  Feb; 83(2):398-404.

Lockhat, F.B., Emembolu, J.O., Konje, J.C.  (2005). The efficacy, side-effects and continuation rates in women with symptomatic endometriosis undergoing treatment with an intra-uterine administered progestogen (levonorgestrel): a 3 year follow-up.  Hum Reprod.  Mar; 20(3):789-93.

Habayeb, O.M., Taylor, A.H., Evans, M.D., Cooke, M.S., Taylor, D.J., Bell, S.C, Konje, J.C.  (2004).  Plasma levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide in women--a potential role in pregnancy maintenance and labor?  J Clin Endocrinol Metab.  Nov; 89(11):5482-7.

Chilaka, V.N., Konje, J.C., Clarke, S., Taylor, D.J.  (2000). Practice observed: is speculum examination on admission a necessary procedure in the management of all cases of antepartum haemorrhage?  J Obstet Gynaecol.  Jul; 20(4):396-8.

Habayeb, O.M., Konje, J.C.  (2004). The one-stop recurrent miscarriage clinic: an evaluation of its effectiveness and outcome.  Hum Reprod.  Dec; 19(12):2952-8.

Hazra, S, Chilaka, V.N, Rajendran, S, Konje, J.C.  (2004). Massive postpartum haemorrhage as a cause of maternal morbidity in a large tertiary hospital.  J Obstet Gynaecol.  Aug; 24(5):519-20.

Holdcroft, A, Konje, J.C, May, A.  (2003). Small babies and substandard anaesthesia: the Confidential Enquiries into Stillbirths and Deaths in Infancy 27/28 report.  Int J Obstet Anesth.  Oct; 12(4):271-4.

Lockhat, F.B., Emembolu, J.O., Konje, J.C.  (2004). The evaluation of the effectiveness of an intrauterine-administered progestogen (levonorgestrel) in the symptomatic treatment of endometriosis and in the staging of the disease.  Hum Reprod.  Jan; 19(1):179-84.

Konje, J.C., Huppertz, B, Bell, S.C, Taylor, D.J., Kaufmann, P.  (2003). 3-dimensional colour power angiography for staging human placental development.  Lancet.  Oct 11; 362(9391):1199-201.

Konje, J.C., Howarth, E.S., Kaufmann, P., Taylor, D.J.  (2003). Longitudinal quantification of uterine artery blood volume flow changes during gestation in pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction.  BJOG.  Mar; 110(3):301-5.

Habayeb, O.M., Bell, S.C., Konje, J.C.  (2002).  Endogenous cannabinoids: metabolism and their role in reproduction.  Life Sci.  Mar 15; 70(17):1963-77. Review.

Konje, J.C., Abrams, K.R., Bell, S.C., Taylor, D.J.  (2002). Determination of gestational age after the 24th week of gestation from fetal kidney length measurements.  Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. Jun; 19(6):592-7.

Konje, J.C., Kaufmann, P., Bell, S.C., Taylor, D.J.  (2001). A longitudinal study of quantitative uterine blood flow with the use of color power angiography in appropriate for gestational age pregnancies.  Am J Obstet Gynecol.  Sep; 185(3):608-13.

Konje, J.C., Bell, S.C., Taylor, D, J.  (2001). Abnormal Doppler velocimetry and blood flow volume in the middle cerebral artery in very severe intrauterine growth restriction: is the occurrence of reversal of compensatory flow too late?  BJOG.  Sep; 108(9):973-9.

Chilaka, V.N., Konje, J.C., Stewart, C.R., Narayan, H., Taylor, D.J.  (2001). Knowledge of Down syndrome in pregnant women from different ethnic groups.  Prenat Diagn.  Mar; 21(3):159-64.

Gardner, F.J., Konje, J.C., Abrams, K.R., Brown, L.J., Khanna, S., Al-Azzawi, F., Bell, S.C., Taylor, D.J.  (2000). Endometrial protection from tamoxifen-stimulated changes by a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system: a randomised controlled trial.  Lancet.  Nov 18; 356(9243):1711-7.

Konje, J.C., Ladipo, O.A.  (2000). Nutrition and obstructed labor.  Am J Clin Nutr.  Jul; 72(1 Suppl):291S-297S. Review

Abu, J.I., Konje, J.C.  (2000). Leukotrienes in gynaecology: the hypothetical value of anti-leukotriene therapy in dysmenorrhoea and endometriosis.  Hum Reprod Update. Mar-Apr; 6(2):200-5. Review.

Konje, J.C., Abrams, K., Bell, J.C., de Chazal, R.C., Taylor, D.J.  (2000). The application of color power angiography to the longitudinal quantification of blood flow volume in the fetal middle cerebral arteries, ascending aorta, descending aorta, and renal arteries during gestation.  Am J Obstet Gynecol.  Feb; 182(2):393-400.

Roper, E.C, Konje, J.C., De Chazal, R.C., Duckett, D.P, Oppenheimer, C.A, Taylor, D.J.  (1999). Genetic amniocentesis: gestation-specific pregnancy outcome and comparison of outcome following early and traditional amniocentesis.  Prenat Diagn.  Sep; 19(9):803-7.

Gardner, F.J., Konje. J.C., Brown, L., Khanna, S., Bell, S.C., Taylor, D.J., al-Azzawi, F.  (1998)  Uterine surveillance of asymptomatic postmenopausal women taking tamoxifen.
Climacteric.  Sep; 1(3):180-7.

Konje, J.C., de Chazal, R., Abrams, K., Taylor, D.J.  (1998)  Safety and fetal outcome of early and midtrimester amniocentesis.  Lancet.  May 9; 351(9113):1434; author reply 1435-6.

Konje, J.C., Palmer, A., Watson, A., Hay, D.M., Imrie, A., Ewings, P.  (1992). Early teenage pregnancies in Hull.  Br J Obstet Gynaecol. Dec; 99(12):969-73.

Konje, J.C., Obisesan, K.A., Ladipo, O.A.  Obstructed labor in Ibadan.  (1992). Int J Gynaecol Obstet.  Sep; 39(1):17-21.

Konje, J.C, Odukoya, O.A., Otolorin, E.O., Ewings, P.D., Ladipo, O.A.  (1992). Carbohydrate metabolism before and after Norplant removal.  Contraception.  Jul; 46(1):61-9.

Konje, J.C., Obisesan, K.A., Ladipo, O.A.  (1992). Health and economic consequences of septic induced abortion.  Int J Gynaecol Obstet.  Mar; 37(3):193-7.

Konje, J.C, Otolorin, E.O., Ladipo, O.A.  (1992). The effect of continuous subdermal levonorgestrel (Norplant) on carbohydrate metabolism.  Am J Obstet Gynecol.  Jan; 166(1 Pt 1):15-9.

Konje, J.C., Obisesan, K.A.  Septic abortion at University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.  (1991).  Int J Gynaecol Obstet.  Oct; 36(2):121-5.

Konje, J.C., Odukoya, O.A., Ladipo, O.A.  Ruptured uterus in Ibadan-a twelve year review.  (1990).  Int J Gynaecol Obstet.  Jul; 32(3):207-13.