Investigating blood cell development in the human chorion during pregnancy
Official title: Hematopoietic and Immune Development in the Human Chorion
Funded at Vitalant · NIH-11055393 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain blood cells are made in a part of the placenta during pregnancy, which could help protect the baby from infections, and it's for anyone interested in understanding how a healthy pregnancy works.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vitalant NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Scottsdale, United States) |
| Project start | April 11, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $662,383 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI168322-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11055393 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals, particularly in the first trimester.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or are beyond the first trimester may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how blood cells are formed in the human chorion, a tissue that plays a crucial role during pregnancy. It focuses on the presence of hematopoietic stem cells in the chorion and their potential role in producing immune cells that help protect the fetus from infections. By examining tissues from different stages of pregnancy, the study aims to understand how these cells contribute to maintaining a healthy maternal-fetal interface. The research employs advanced techniques like flow cytometry and cell culture to analyze these processes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of fetal immune development and lead to improved prenatal care strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding hematopoiesis in prenatal development, but this specific focus on the chorion is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Vitalant
Scottsdale, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Muench, Marcus O — Vitalant
- Study coordinator: Muench, Marcus O
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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.