New Technique Isolates Placental Cells for Non-invasive Genetic Testing

Researchers have developed a simple method for isolating placental cells from cervical swabs. The technique could aid in developing less invasive ways of diagnosing genetic disorders in developing fetuses.The technique isolates trophoblast cells-placental cells that carry the complete fetal genome-by taking advantage of their tendency to settle to the bottom of microwell plates. The researchers lay out a procedure for optimally isolating the cells, enabling them to be picked individually from the plate.