Break

It is currently difficult to establish the effect of external stimuli on extravillous trophoblast (EVT) invasion. Improper invasion of EVTs can cause problems with pregnancy, including the most common pregnancy complication, preeclampsia. Microfluidic devices are an option of modeling this early invasion; however, most trophoblast labs are not equipped to produce these devices through lithography. We are developing a device that will model the invasion of EVTs over gradients of maternal stimuli. We established novel methods to create the PDMS structure of the device, insert a 1 cm matrix to model the maternal decidua, establish a gradient that can be consistently confirmed, and track the movement of EVTs in 3 dimensions over time. This device will allow us to establish the effect of environmental factors, drugs, and other molecular regulators of placental development on EVT invasion.