ABSTRACT
The placenta is a temporary organ that sustains life in utero. The placenta plays a central role in human embryonic/fetal development and largely determines pregnancy outcome. Human placental development is a complex biological process that is regulated at molecular level. Cells in this dynamic tissue divide, differentiate, migrate, and grow simultaneously, and these biological processes are controlled by a large number of genes. The expression of genetic codes that coordinate all cellular processes and ultimately determine the phenotype of an individual is tightly regulated in time and space at the transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and posttranslational levels. Genetic variations that affect the function of genes at any level may result in abnormal phenotypes, often leading to diseases. Understanding how the spectrum of genetic variations in the placenta affects phenotype in interaction with the environment is important, as it may allow predictive modeling of phenotypic outcomes based on individual genomes. Recent advances in microarray technology have allowed biologists and clinical scientists to perform genomic studies, which are hypothesis generating rather than hypothesis testing. However, large amount of data are generated in such experiments, making them complex to analyze and draw appropriate conclusions. Use of suitable biological samples based on the study objectives is therefore crucial. A genomic approach to investigation can be applied to study pathophysiological processes, understand the etiology of diseases, and identify screening, diagnostic, and prognostic markers. In recent years, genomic research in obstetrics has focused mainly on using the technology to develop placental biomarkers of pregnancy complications.
