iPlacenta - A PhD program to drive innovation in modelling placenta for Maternal and Fetal Health

Objectives: Innovation in modelling placenta for maternal and fetal Health (iPlacenta) is a Horizon 2020 European Training Network (ETN) coordinated by University of Dundee, which aims to act as a springboard for promoting international, intersectoral and multi/inter-disciplinary training, career development and collaboration of fifteen early-stage researchers (ESRs) in Maternal and Fetal Health across eleven European institutes.Results: The research encompassed in iPlacenta aims to boost the translational expertise within EU groups, training ESRs in translational medicine by integrating organ-chip technology and mathematical modelling, with innovation in visualising and assessing placenta health in the clinic and in vivo models. The advancement in technology is such that we have now a great potential to model, visualise and assess maternal and placenta vasculature in many ways. iPlacenta aims to develop research platforms by promoting synergy and cross-talk between sectors and disciplines.Conclusion: iPlacenta training is directly aligned to bridge the current and prospective skill deficiencies identified by academia, industry and internationally. Training is mapped to the European Commission’s “Principles for Innovative Doctoral Training”, ensuring the ability to gain a unique set of skills focused on delivering translational science underpinned with Open Science - Open Innovation. Their training is designed to equip them with the right combination of research-related and transferable skills such as entrepreneurship, project management and public engagement in order to face the current and future challenges in Maternal and Fetal Health and to best convert their knowledge and ideas into products and services with an economic and social benefit