Endometriosis: NMI involved in new project

It has a reputation as the “chameleon of gynecology” and has long been neglected in research: endometriosis. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is now funding several large-scale projects to understand the disease. One of these, the ENDO-RELIEF project, is based at the University Hospital Tübingen (UKT) and is supported by the NMI working group “Biophotonics & Spectroscopy”. The start was on September 1, 2024.

The task of the working group, headed by Dr. Julia Marzi, is to better understand the development of endometriosis using tissue models derived from patients. In addition, patient-specific predictions should be possible about the aggressiveness, possible complications - and subsequent treatment options. The researchers will use three-dimensional tissue models, as well as tissue sections and imaging techniques that do not destroy the cells. In this way, they want to recognize and observe the changes in the disease at different points in time.

In Germany, an estimated two million women are affected by endometriosis. The disease affects organs close to the uterus and, if symptomatic, leads to severe chronic pain, in some cases even to infertility. In around half of women, however, the disease is asymptomatic - this changeability has earned it the reputation of being a “chameleon”.

Further information on the overall project in the press release of the University Hospital Tübingen.

Further information on the NMI sub-project can be found here.