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Engineering the human placenta: Advances in modeling placental function
Aarti Jayul Patel1, Karina Vasile1, Sien Yee Lau2
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
Placenta
|May 25, 2026
Summary
Bioengineered placental models, including organoids and organ-on-a-chip systems, offer new ways to study placental biology and obstetric complications. These advanced models improve understanding of maternal-fetal interactions and inform new therapies.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Bioengineering
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Background:
- The placenta is crucial for nutrient exchange, hormone production, and immune regulation.
- Studying placental biology is challenging due to its complex structure and function.
- Obstetric complications are often linked to placental dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advancements in bioengineered placental models.
- To highlight how these models overcome limitations of traditional systems.
- To discuss their application in studying placental physiology and maternal-fetal medicine.
Main Methods:
- Microfluidic and organ-on-a-chip systems
- Spheroid and organoid models
- Bioengineered scaffolds and in silico models
Main Results:
- These models mimic the maternal-fetal barrier and trophoblast behavior.
- They allow investigation of transport mechanisms.
- They provide physiologically relevant platforms for research.
Conclusions:
- Advanced bioengineered models are revolutionizing placental research.
- These platforms enhance understanding of placental function and dysfunction.
- They hold promise for developing novel therapeutic strategies in maternal-fetal medicine.
