Microfluidic organ-on-chip device: a unique platform for investigating implantation and placentation

Disruption of critical processes during early placentation is associated with several pregnancy disorders, leading to high rates of morbidity and mortality globally. However, we are unable to detect or modify the course of these disorders because the fundamental mechanisms underlying their development remain incompletely described. This stems from an inability to ethically study these processes in vivo and a lack of technology to model early placentation in vitro in a physiologically relevant manner.