Assessing placental health using a non-invasive blood test

Electrochemical Liquid Biopsy Assessing Placental Health

NIH-funded research University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10646207

This study is looking at a new, gentle way to check how healthy the placenta is during pregnancy by testing blood and urine samples, which could help doctors find any issues early on without being invasive.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Los Angeles NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project IDNIH-10646207 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a new method for evaluating placental health through a non-invasive electrochemical liquid biopsy. By analyzing maternal plasma and urine samples collected throughout pregnancy, the study aims to identify biomarkers that indicate placental well-being. This approach seeks to improve upon current diagnostic tools, which often have limitations in sensitivity and invasiveness. The goal is to develop a reliable screening test that can be used early in pregnancy to guide further assessments if needed.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant individuals seeking non-invasive methods to assess their placental health.

Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or those with pre-existing conditions that affect placental function may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a safer and more accurate way to monitor placental health, potentially improving outcomes for both mothers and newborns.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using non-invasive methods for prenatal diagnostics, indicating potential success for this novel approach.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.