The human placenta project: Funded studies, imaging technologies, and future directions

The placenta plays a critical role in fetal development. It serves as a multi-functional organ that protects and nurtures the fetus during pregnancy. However, despite its importance, the intricacies of placental structure and function in normal and diseased states have remained largely unexplored. Thus, in 2014, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development launched the Human Placenta Project (HPP). As of May 2023, the HPP has awarded over $101 million in research funds, resulting in 41 funded studies and 459 publications. We conducted a comprehensive review of these studies and publications to identify areas of funded research, advances in those areas, limitations of current research, and continued areas of need. This paper will specifically review the funded studies by the HPP, followed by an in-depth discussion on advances and gaps within placental focused imaging. We highlight the progress within magnetic reasonance imaging and ultrasound, including of tools for the assessment of function and structure.

Automated summary

The placenta is a crucial organ in fetal development, providing protection and nourishment during pregnancy. The Human Placenta Project (HPP) was initiated in 2014 to explore the complexities of placental structure and function. With over $101 million in research funds and numerous studies and publications, the HPP has made significant advancements, particularly in placental imaging using magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound.