Researchers are investigating better, safer ways to study the placenta and improve maternal health.
“Congratulations. You’re pregnant! Your baby grows beautifully from pea, to plum, to potato,” says Dr Claire Richards, describing the journey many pregnant women experience. “But one day, you notice a pressing headache. Your ankles begin to swell. Your midwife measures your blood pressure and urine. She tells you that you have pre-eclampsia.”
Unfortunately, this is the reality for nearly 10,000 Australian women every year. Pre-eclampsia is a life-threatening disorder that claims the lives of over half a million unborn babies and 70,000 women annually.
Researchers believe the condition stems from placental dysfunction, yet the exact causes are still poorly understood. When the placenta malfunctions, it can cause organ failure in the pregnant woman, putting both her life and the unborn baby at risk. This often necessitates an urgent delivery.
In countries with advanced hospitals and healthcare systems, women with pre-eclampsia usually experience a full recovery. However, thousands of women and unborn babies globally lose their lives to this condition each year.
Despite its devastating impact, effective treatments remain elusive. Associate Professor Lana McClements and her team at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), including Richards, aim to solve this mystery by creating and studying 3D placental cell models.
0%
of pregnancies worldwide will be affected by hypertensive disorders including pre-eclampsia.
Pregnancy is a sensitive process, and taking samples from this hidden world is risky and invasive. We need better, safer methods to study the placenta.
From two dimensions to three
Traditionally, researchers have relied on 2D cell cultures —cells grown on flat surfaces like culture dishes. While useful, these models do not fully replicate the complexity of living systems. Alternatives, such as animal models or human placental tissue samples, are challenging to obtain, and come with significant risks.
For her PhD research, Richards, under the supervision of McClements, developed an innovative solution: 3D placental models. These allow cells to self-organise and interact with their surroundings in multiple directions, mimicking their natural behaviour in the human body.
The research focuses on trophoblasts, a key cell type in the placenta. Using the RASTRUM™ 3D bio-printer from Australian startup Inventia Life Science, the team combined trophoblasts with hydrogel matrices – jelly-like substances that mimic the extracellular environment.
The bio-printer places tiny droplets into a tissue culture plate, forming a hydrogel structure that supports the growth of trophoblasts. Over time, these cells organise into small, placenta-like structures called organoids. Organoids provide researchers with a powerful tool to study the cellular and molecular processes of early pregnancy.
True research-industry collaboration
The development of these 3D models was made possible through close collaboration with Inventia Life Science. The researchers worked with Inventia to identify the best hydrogel matrix from their library, testing various protein combinations and stiffness levels to find the optimal environment for trophoblast cells.
Dr Alex Volkerling, who worked closely with the UTS team, explained: “For Claire’s project, we tested various additives to find the best match for her cells. Once we identified a suitable matrix, we provided further support to help the team generate valuable data for their research.”
Delivering answers
While the production of 3D placental models is still in its early stages, the UTS team is optimistic about its potential. They aim to demonstrate that their technique, combined with Inventia’s 3D cell culture platform, can produce high-quality organoids that are simple, reproducible, and cost-effective.
“The cell line we’re working with is quite unique — only a few research groups in the world have access to it,” says McClements.
“Although bio-printing is now widespread, 3D bio-printed placental models are a new development.”
Richards hopes this research will lead to improved health outcomes for pregnant women and their babies.
“It’s time to print a cure for pre-eclampsia.”
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