Speaker Name: Prof. Deepak Modi (ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health)

Date: 29-10-2025 (Wednesday)

Time: 2:30 PM

Venue: LC002

Abstract: Pregnancy presents a unique challenge for clinicians, as most medications are not tested for safety in expectant mothers due to ethical and practical constraints. As a result, many drugs are contraindicated in pregnancy not because they are proven unsafe, but because their safety remains unknown.
The placenta is a remarkable interface between the mother and the fetus as it safeguards fetal health, facilitates nutrient exchange, and serves as a selective barrier to drug transfer. Any damage to placenta can be detrimental to pregnancy and can affect the fetus. However, the complex features of human placenta are poorly represented in traditional cell culture or animal models. To overcome these limitations, we are developing placenta-on-a-chip systems—microengineered devices that recreate key physiological and functional characteristics of the human placenta.
In collaboration with the engineering team at IIT Bombay, we have designed several modular devices that mimic distinct structural and functional aspects of the placenta. Benchmarking studies show strong structural and functional similarities between these engineered systems and the human placenta. Coupled with high-content imaging technologies, these placenta-on-a-chip devices now allow real-time monitoring of drug effects, transport, metabolism, and barrier integrity.
This initiative exemplifies the convergence of biomedical engineering and reproductive biology, offering engineering students an exciting opportunity to apply principles of microfabrication, fluid dynamics, and imaging integration to address a pressing challenge in maternal–fetal health. Our ultimate goal is to build predictive, ethical, and scalable platforms that advance the safe use of medicines during pregnancy.