The placenta of eutherian mammals is a remarkable biological structure. It is composed of
both zygote-derived and maternal cells, and mediates the complex interactions between the
mother and the fetus that are necessary for fetal growth and survival. While the genetic basis
of human placental development and function is largely unknown, its understanding is of
immense clinical importance because placentopathies of unknown genetic aetiology are
thought to be the cause of many types of pregnancy complications including unexplained …