The placenta is one of the most enigmatic and unique organs. Acting as the interface between multiple genetically different individuals, it is crucial to maintain the homeostasis of both and to allow the development of the foetus. Despite convergently evolving across multiple species, the diversity results in a lack of a translatable animal model.  The study of the placenta is further complicated by the crucial role that transposable elements (TEs) play during its differentiation, with some producing proteins necessary for the organ's growth: for example, Syncytin-1. Each species boasts its own unique fingerprint of TEs and, therefore, a consequent transcriptome during placental development. Emphasising the lack of a translatable model.

To address this critical gap in the field, we currently utilise a cellular model by differentiation of human embryonic stem cells to trophoblast stem cells. Using this model system, we are investigating how the histone acetylation pathways impact the expression of transposable elements during placental development. Utilising this system, we are aiming to investigate how TEs are involved in both the healthy establishment and differentiation of the placenta, as well as to show how their aberrant expression is implicated in disease states such as pre-eclampsia.