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

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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

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…