Indian scientists say they have developed an indigenous “placenta-on-chip” laboratory platform that recreates several key functions of the human placenta. Multiple outlets report that the work focuses on reproducing processes associated with supporting pregnancy, including hormone production, transfer of nutrients and gases, removal of waste products, and a selective barrier function that helps separate and regulate exchanges between maternal and fetal environments.
The project is described as being led by researchers from ICMR–National Institute for Research on Women’s Health, working in collaboration with IIT Bombay. Sources characterize the platform as a lab-grown model designed to simulate how the placenta sustains the developing fetus.
While the articles highlight the biological capabilities the device aims to replicate—such as delivering oxygen and nutrients, protecting the developing fetus, and performing controlled exchange of substances—the reports presented do not include additional details in the provided text about the platform’s validation results, timelines, or immediate clinical applications. Overall, the coverage aligns on the development of a placenta-on-chip system and the specific placental functions it is intended to reproduce.
