Microfluidics & Organ-on-a-Chip

Our lab has been interested in recapitulating the maternal-fetal interface in vitro. Due to the inaccessible nature and the lack of a standard in vitro model system to examine the pre- and peri-implantation phases of pregnancy in human endometrium, it has not been possible to fully understand the process of embryo implantation at the cellular and molecular levels. We recently developed a microengineered vascularized endometrium-on-a-chip (MVEOC), which reconstitutes physiologically relevant endometrial environment including three distinct layers of the epithelium, stroma, and blood vessels, and demonstrated its appropriate responsiveness to pro-angiogenic factors and hormonal stimuli. This advanced model system will provide an effective tool for drug screening and toxicity testing in the field of female reproductive system and elucidating specific molecular mechanisms involved in reproductive biology, with potential applications in personalized medicine.  

- Endometrium-on-a-chip
- Maternal-Fetal interface-on-a-chip