Bioengineers test drug transfer using placenta-on-a-chip

University of Pennsylvania researchers have demonstrated the feasibility of their "organ-on-a-chip" platform in studying how medicines are transported across the human placental barrier. The placenta-on-a-chip is a small silicone block with two fluid channels separated by a porous membrane. Embedded with two human cell types, the membrane determines what passes from the maternal to foetal systems.