Group Albrecht

Research Focus

Materno-fetal transport of nutrients and xenobiotics

Gaining deeper insight into the mechanisms and regulation of nutrient and xenobiotic transport across the placenta is of fundamental importance for providing healthy and optimal nutrition to the fetus. In this context, our research team aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of iron, amino acid and cholesterol transport across the placenta and to study the involvement of placental membrane transporters in the physiology and pathophysiology of the human placenta.

placental membrane transporters

Development of novel in vitro models for the human placental barrier 

In this context, we also constantly aim to develop and improve cellular models representing the maternal-fetal interface and the human placental barrier. Hereby we predominantly apply polarized primary trophoblast cells in co-culture with endothelial cells in Transwell®-based systems with or without a microfluidic flow device mimicking the maternal and fetal bloodstream. These investigations are in close agreement with the 3R principles.

Placenta and early-life programming

A further central topic in the laboratory focuses on the molecular and physiological pathways through which the placenta mediates early-life programming. Our central hypothesis sustains that endogenous hormonal and nutrient environments in utero, as well as placental adaptations to maternal stress or nutritional imbalance, shape the offspring’s later susceptibility to psychiatric conditions. Using placenta-specific knockout/knockdown techniques and multi-level analysis of placental and central pathways in disease programming in mice and humans, combined with murine behavioral approaches, we ultimately aim to identify biomarkers and therapeutic windows for early prevention of psychiatric disorders rooted in fetal development.

Recent Publications

latest publications

Award Winner Timothée Furrer

We are very pleased to announce that Tim, PhD student in our group, received the ELSEVIER TROPHOBLAST RESEARCH NEW INVESTIGATOR AWARD for his poster presentation at the IFPA (International Federation of Placenta Associations) meeting 2025 in Erfurt. It is a very prestigious and competitive award which includes an invitation for Tim to present his scientific progress in the next annual IFPA meeting (2026) in Japan.
Congratulations Tim!