How different parts of the fetal membrane (chorion) form and function
Establishing the development basis for the morphological and functional asymmetry of the human chorion
This project looks at how the outer fetal membrane (the chorion) develops in early pregnancy to learn about changes that might affect pregnancy health for expectant mothers and their babies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11333298 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, the team will study tissue from the fetal membranes collected in the second trimester and use single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics to map the different cell types and where they sit. They will compare the smooth chorion (outer surface) and the villous chorion (placental side) to find when their cell lineages take different paths and whether certain cell types block normal placental cell movement. The work builds on recent detailed cell maps but focuses on a newly identified cell type (CTB4) that may influence how placental cells behave. Results aim to help explain early changes that could contribute to placenta-related pregnancy problems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be pregnant people in the second trimester who can provide fetal membrane or placental tissue during a clinically indicated procedure or delivery at a participating site.
Not a fit: People who are not pregnant, are outside the second trimester window, or who expect immediate personal medical benefit should not expect direct treatment benefits from this basic science work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could reveal early cellular changes in fetal membranes that lead to placenta-related pregnancy complications, guiding future diagnosis or prevention strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Single-cell and spatial approaches have already improved understanding of placental cells, but applying them to chorion asymmetry and the CTB4 population is a newer and less-tested direction.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blelloch, Robert — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Blelloch, Robert
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.