Placenta-On-A-Chip: Study Examines Inner Workers Of Temporary Organ During Pregnancy

Scientists at the National Institute of Health (NIH) have created a "placenta-on-a-chip" device that mimics both the function and structure of the human placenta. Researchers say it is particularly important as the new device, which can be used to model the flow of waste and nutrients between a mother and her fetus, could one day provide new insights into the role the placenta plays in pregnancy.

"Our placenta-on-a-chip model has potential to serve as a low-cost experimental platform with a broad range of applications," the study authors, said in a press release.

The placenta, otherwise known as a temporary organ that develops in a woman's uterus during pregnancy, provides vital oxygen and nutrients to the baby.

"The device consists of a semi-permeable membrane between two tiny chambers, one filled with maternal cells derived from a delivered placenta and the other filled with fetal cells derived from an umbilical cord," the researchers added.

The study authors added glucose to the chambers of the device in order to test the model, which contained maternal cells in which the glucose was transferred through a semi-permeable membrane to the fetal cell that is similar to that of an actual placenta to a growing fetus.

"With further improvements, we hope this technology may lead to better understanding of normal placental processes and placental disorders," said Dr. Roberto Romero, a study author and chief of the perinatology research branch of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via The Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine.

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