Discover the Placenta future
The African Placenta Association (AfriPA) was formed in October 2024 by African researchers, postgraduate research students and a pathologist with an interest in placental biology. Most of the foundation members were all participants at the Cambridge University Centre for Trophoblastic Research (CTR) highly successful and enriching 2024 placental biology course (Placental Biology Course Overview | Loke Centre for Trophoblast Research).
These course attendants identified the absence of an association of experts with interest in promoting placental biology research in Africa and after an initial virtual meeting agreed to pioneer the goal of establishing AfriPA, and to formally apply for membership of the International Federation of Placental Associations (IFPA).
The group also agreed to open the association’s membership to African researchers working within the continent and in the diaspora, and to include Students (PhD, MPhil, MSc), Post-docs and professional research scientists including, and Medical & Veterinary Health Professionals with interest in placental biology, including feto-maternal/fetoplacental physiology and pathology.
Objectives
AfriPA is a placental research organisation representing peoples of African ancestry in the Africa continent and Diaspora around the world, as described in the Constitution of the International Federation of Placental Associations (see item 4.1).
AfriPA is a multi-specialist organisation with primary interest in promoting fundamental biological and clinical research into placental biology and function, and linking these to health outcomes of mothers, fetuses and neonates in Africa”
AfriPA is a non-profit scientific organisation. The official address of AfriPA is that of the elected President.
The aims of AfriPA are:
To facilitate all aspects of placental research, including relationships between the placenta, mother and fetus. Topics of interest include placental development, structure, physiology, metabolism, endocrinology, microbiology, pathology, immunology, pharmacology, cell biology and biochemistry
To provide a multidisciplinary scientific forum for researchers interested in placental studies
To provide, where appropriate, a formal association for the representation of members’ interests to governments, granting institutions and private organisations
The aims will be carried out through:
facilitating contact between any persons or groups interested in any aspect of placental research.
AfriPA shall cooperate with other scientific organisations with related interests assisting any such group or persons with the aid of speakers or educational and scientific material organising conferences or teaching programs in conjunction with any appropriate organisation anywhere in the world or, if necessary, organising such activities independently making any publications, either in combination with other organisations or independently, as may be needed.
Research
AfriPA is a placental research organisation representing peoples of African ancestry
Discovery
To facilitate all aspects of placental research, including relationships between placenta, mother and fetus.
Analysis
To provide a multidisciplinary scientific forum for researchers interested in placental studies
Testing
AfriPA shall cooperate with other scientific organisations with related interests assisting any such group or persons
Latest Publications
African Placenta Association will facilitate all aspects of placental research, including relationships between the placenta, mother and fetus. Topics of interest include placental development, structure, physiology, metabolism, endocrinology, microbiology, pathology, immunology, pharmacology, cell biology and biochemistry
“While placental disorders of pregnancy are well investigated in HICs, this is not so in LMICs. LMIC-based placental disorder research is under-represented in the global portfolio. Moreover, the pathways to disease within a resource-constrained setting in sub-Saharan Africa are likely to differ from pathways in HICs where much of the research has been conducted. For example, synergistic challenges of malnutrition, rural settings underserved by transport infrastructure and health facilities, high burdens of infectious diseases, and other adverse social determinants of health may contribute to pathways of disease in ways that are currently not captured by HIC research. Understanding the interactions between placental complications and contextual factors may provide a critical step towards the development of precision healthcare to optimise maternal, fetal and infant outcomes”
Partners and Supporters
AfriPA is a multi-specialist organisation with primary interest in promoting fundamental biological and clinical research into placental biology and function, and linking these to health outcomes of mothers, fetuses and neonates in Africa.
