Few biological systems remain as enigmatic—and as critical to human survival—as the placenta. This temporary organ is the lifeline between mother and child, orchestrating the exchange of nutrients, oxygen, and hormones during pregnancy. When it works well, life thrives. When it malfunctions, the results can be devastating, leading to hundreds of thousands of maternal deaths and millions of infant deaths worldwide each year.
For decades, scientists have struggled to study the placenta during its earliest, most formative stages. By the time a pregnancy reaches full term, the placenta has already transformed so dramatically that it no longer reflects its early biology. Obtaining first-trimester tissue is nearly impossible without endangering the pregnancy. Animal models, meanwhile, fail to capture the uniquely human complexity of this organ.
Continue reading… “3D Bioprinting the Placenta: Unlocking the Mysteries of Pregnancy”