Scientists Reprogram Skin Cells As Placenta Cells For Study

Kate Hopper, Author of Ready for Air, a memoir about being diagnosed with preeclampsia and giving birth to a premature baby, held items from when her daughter, Stella was born premature, ten years ago. A study reveals a new method of reprogramming skin cells into human placental cells for research purposes. It works with skin cells from males or females of any age. BRUCE BISPING/GETTY IMAGES

Placental disorders such as preeclampsia and intra-uterine growth restriction are commonly detected at late stages of pregnancy.

To understand what causes them, and identify risk factors and possible treatments, scientists have searched for a way to recreate early-stage placental cells in the lab.