May 2026
Dr. John Schimenti’s lab has recently published a new research article in PLOS Genetics, “Chronic replication stress-mediated genomic instability disrupts placenta development in mice.” Through using mouse models with ongoing DNA replication stress, Schimenti lab researchers found that placental stem cells in their earliest stage lose the ability to self-renew, which results in a shortage of these stem cells and of important trophoblasts during fetal development. This molecular-level understanding of the placental development process is essential to a broader understanding of placental development and its role in supporting pregnancy overall. To learn more about these findings, check out their article in CVM News, “How molecular mechanisms drive placenta development and dysfunction.”
