Understanding the differences in the outer layer of the fetal membranes during pregnancy
Official title: Establishing the development basis for the morphological and functional asymmetry of the human chorion
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11095875 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a part of the membranes surrounding a baby, called the chorion, grows in different ways during pregnancy, focusing on specific cells that help form it, to better understand potential pregnancy complications.
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 start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $416,064 |
| NIH project number | 5P50HD112034-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11095875 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals, particularly those in their second trimester.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or are in the early or late stages of pregnancy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the outer layer of the fetal membranes, known as the chorion, develops differently in various regions during pregnancy. It focuses on the cytotrophoblast cells that contribute to the formation of the smooth chorion and villous chorion, examining their distinct developmental pathways. By utilizing advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing, the study aims to identify when and how these cells diverge in their functions and characteristics. This understanding could shed light on potential complications during pregnancy related to these developmental processes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and management of pregnancy complications linked to chorion development.
How similar studies have gone: While this research explores novel aspects of chorion development, similar approaches in studying placental biology have shown promising results in understanding pregnancy complications.
Where this research is happening
-
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.