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.](/sites/default/files/2023-11/NICHD-HPP-Group4-slide1_600x500px.jpg)
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 person.](/sites/default/files/2023-11/NICHD-HPP-Group4-slide2_600x500px.jpg)
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.](/sites/default/files/2023-11/NICHD-HPP-Group4-slide3_600x500px.jpg)
Developing RNA-Based Placental Diagnostics
- Principal Investigator: Zev Williams, M.D., Ph.D.
- Organizations: Columbia University; Rockefeller University
- Research Focus: RNA-based placental diagnostics
![Illustration of flow cytometry, where multicolor light beams are passing through a microscopic object.](/sites/default/files/2023-11/NICHD-HPP-Group4-slide4_600x500px.jpg)
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 person.](/sites/default/files/2023-11/NICHD-HPP-Group4-slide5_600x500px.jpg)
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.