Microfluidics Device Mimics Placental Barrier
March 22, 2016 | Terry Sharrer

Placental Anatomy
The human placenta experiences considerable shear forces as it passes nutrients, water, oxygen, cells, and waste products between the mother’s body and the growing fetus. In carrying out those functions, the epithelial cells of this organ develop microvilli which carry out the flows more effectively. And, as researchers at the University of Tokyo have shown those microvilli lengthen in response to the flow rate (greater as the fetus grows). They also have built a multilayer microfluidics device which mimics this organ for further investigating its physiology. MORE
Image Credit: bio.utexas.edu