Home / Science / India Unveils "Placenta-on-Chip" for Pregnancy Research
India Unveils "Placenta-on-Chip" for Pregnancy Research
4 Jul
Summary
- Indigenous placenta-on-chip platform accurately mimics human placental functions.
- The simple, scalable platform enhances accessibility for pregnancy research.
- It aids study of gestational diabetes and drug safety, reducing animal testing.
Indian researchers have achieved a significant breakthrough with the development of an indigenous "placenta-on-chip" platform, designed to advance pregnancy research and maternal-fetal health understanding. This innovative microphysiological system precisely recreates essential human placental functions, including hormone production, nutrient transfer, and waste removal.
The platform is engineered for simplicity and scalability, making it compatible with standard laboratory workflows. This accessibility is crucial for wider adoption by research institutions globally. It provides a powerful tool for studying complex pregnancy complications, such as gestational diabetes, and for evaluating the safety of medications during pregnancy.
This development holds significant promise for reducing reliance on animal testing. By offering a more human-relevant model, scientists can gain deeper insights into placental biology and its role in various pregnancy-associated disorders. The collaborative effort between ICMR-National Institute for Research on Women's Health and IIT Bombay underscores the advancement of biomedical innovation in India.
