Cervix-on-a-chip inspires potential new treatment for preterm birth


Health

Using human cells, researchers were able to create a novel cervix-on-a-chip model to study how the vaginal microbiome affects pregnancy

By Grace Wade

A section of the cervix

OVERSEAS/COLLECTION CNRI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Scientists have coaxed human cells to form a miniature replica of the cervix during pregnancy. This so-called cervix-on-a-chip reveals how inflammation and the vaginal microbiome can contribute to premature birth – and identifies a possible treatment to prevent it.

Premature birth – when a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy – affects more than 13 million infants each year and is the second leading cause of childhood mortality and disability. Yet there are no effective…



Source link : https://www.newscientist.com/article/2480582-cervix-on-a-chip-inspires-potential-new-treatment-for-preterm-birth/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home

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Publish date : 2025-05-19 12:00:00

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