Cracking the Code: Placenta Project Reveals Secrets of Human Cells.

The Human Cell Atlas (HCA) project, launched in 2016, has enabled researchers to uncover the secrets of the placenta, the temporary organ that supports the unborn child. Understanding the mechanics of its functioning is crucial in ensuring healthy and viable pregnancies. The HCA project has also revealed cellular secrets of the immune system, brain, lungs, and other organs, discovering thousands of new types of cells in humans. The project uses single-cell genomics to sequence and characterise individual cells in tissue samples, enabling the identification of rare cells that are crucial in ensuring the proper functioning of organs in the body.