Genetic and cell-level changes in endometriosis across diverse women
Official title: Functional Genomics Across an Ethnically and Racially Diverse Endometriosis Population
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Science Center · NIH-11242059 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks for genetic changes and cell-level differences in endometriosis tissues from women of different racial and ethnic backgrounds to find new treatment targets.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Science Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | July 16, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $342,520 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD113693-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11242059 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women with a confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis who can provide tissue samples and clinical information are the ideal candidates, with emphasis on enrolling Black, Hispanic, Asian, and White participants.
✕Less likely to help
People without endometriosis or those unable or unwilling to provide tissue samples and medical information are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
Researchers will analyze tissue and data from more than 1,400 people with endometriosis, sequencing lesion DNA to catalogue somatic mutations across White, Asian, Black, and Hispanic patients. They will use single-cell RNA and epigenomic profiling plus spatial transcriptomics to see how those mutations change specific cell types and tissue organization. Findings from patient samples will be tested in an orthotopic mouse model to explore how mutations affect disease behavior and treatment responses. The combined approach aims to reveal molecular targets that could guide more effective or ancestry-informed therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify molecular targets that lead to more precise or new treatments for endometriosis, especially tailored for diverse populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have found driver mutations such as KRAS, PIK3CA, and ARID1A in endometriosis lesions, and applying single-cell and spatial genomics is a promising but still emerging path toward treatment targets.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Science Center
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lawrenson, Kate — University of Texas Hlth Science Center
- Study coordinator: Lawrenson, Kate
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.