Huh Lab Placenta-on-a-Chip (IMAGE) University of Pennsylvania Caption The Huh lab's placenta-on-a-chip features two microfluidic channels that represent the maternal and fetal circulatory systems, and a membrane with living cells from the placental barrier that separates the two. There are few good options for testing how pharmaceuticals and other supplements might cross the placental barrier during pregnancy. Simulating that barrier on a chip, using human cells, is an alternative to inconclusive animal models, or using placental tissue donated after birth, which have a limited lifespan and require complicated experimental set-ups. Credit University of Pennsylvania Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.