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Identifying Critical Circulation Factors

NICHD’s Human Placenta Project (HPP) supports research to better identify circulation factors during pregnancy. Learn about research groups using sound waves, RNA, and more to better monitor and understand placental health and preeclampsia.

Illustrated model of thromboxane A2 molecule.

Understanding the Links Between the Placenta and Preeclampsia

Principal Investigators: Scott W. Walsh, Ph.D., and Charles E. Chalfant, Ph.D.
Organization: Virginia Commonwealth University
Research Focus: The role of lipids in response to the use of low-dose aspirin to prevent preeclampsia

Learn more about research on the role of the placenta in preeclampsia.

A health care provider touching the inner arm of a sitting pregnant woman.

Using Sound Waves to Test Blood for Placental Health

Principal Investigators: Yoel Sadovsky, M.D.; Tony Jun Huang, Ph.D.
Organizations: University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Nanyang Technological University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Pennsylvania State University, Duke University
Research Focus: Development of acoustofluidic tools to monitor placental health

Learn more about research using sound waves to assess placental health.

A scientist wearing a mask and gloves holds a vial of blood in a lab, empty vials and a microscope can be seen in the background.

Developing RNA-Based Placental Diagnostics

Principal Investigator: Zev Williams, M.D., Ph.D.
Organizations: Columbia University; Rockefeller University
Research Focus: RNA-based placental diagnostics

Learn about research using RNA to monitor placental health.

Illustration of flow cytometry, where multicolor light beams are passing through a microscopic object.

Using Flow Cytometry to Predict Preeclampsia

Principal Investigators: Terry Morgan, M.D., Ph.D., and Leslie Myatt, Ph.D., FRCOG
Organization: Oregon Health & Science University
Research Focus: Application of Flow Cytometry in Preeclampsia Diagnosis

Learn about research using flow cytometry to diagnosis preeclampsia.

A healthcare provider takes blood from the inner arm of a pregnant woman.

Capturing Circulating Placental Cells for Placentomics Research

Principal Investigators: Patrick Stayton, Ph.D.; Daniel Chiu, Ph.D.; Michael Gravett, M.D.
Organization: University of Washington
Research Focus: Cell capture and placentomics

Learn about research on capturing circulating placental cells for omics research.

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