The placenta develops during pregnancy so that the fetus can receive oxygen and nutrients from the mother. Now, an international team of scientists has managed to create a plaque in chip form to study in depth its vital function.
The artificial placenta mimics the transport substances from the mother to the fetus as normal.
Because it can be dangerous for the fetus to examine the placenta during pregnancy, the innovative achievement can serve numerous diagnostic and research purposes.
Until now, scientists have only studied placental function in laboratory animals or models models cells grown in the laboratory.
The placenta on chip includes maternal cells and fetal cells derived from the umbilical cord.
Relevant study published in the review Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine.
