Endometriosis, a lab-on-a-chip under study: non-invasive test for early diagnosis

Endo2023 is born, a project to promote faster, more accessible and economical diagnosis of Endometriosis and the development of a 'lab-on-a-chip' for non-invasive diagnostics. The project, funded with over 4.4 million euros by the Ministry of University and Research (Mur), will last five years and aims to develop a test for the early diagnosis of Endometriosis using latest-generation technologies in the field of molecular biology, omics sciences and bioinformatics analysis.

The initiative was born from the synergy between UniCamillus University (Research Organization), Eurofins Genoma (Host Institution) and the University of Turin, with Chiara Benedetto, Emeritus of Gynecology and Obstetrics, in the role of Principal Investigator.

This alliance is supported by a large network of multidisciplinary clinical and research groups and Eurofins Genoma, which will lead the industrial and technological development of a 'lab-on-a-chip', a miniaturized device that integrates and automates multiple laboratory processes. The common goal is the development of a compact, user-friendly and high-precision device , capable of detecting a wide range of biomarkers (miRNA, RNA, metabolites, Dnpathogen) in a non-invasive way. “The project represents a paradigm shift in the diagnosis and management of Endometriosis, a disease that affects up to 15% of the female population and 50% of infertile women – explains Emiliano Maiani, Research Delegate of UniCamillus – Traditional methodologies are often based on invasive procedures that can be burdensome both physically and psychologically. UniCamillus will contribute to the development of research through a multidisciplinary approach that includes metabolomics, genomics, transcriptomics and metagenomics studies, together with sophisticated computational analyses and cell cultures to study the biological mechanisms of the implant – he continues-. One of the distinctive elements of the project is precisely the adoption of an integrated strategy for the identification of biomarkers, avoiding focusing on a single type, and instead embracing a wide range of possible indicators of Endometriosis”. The project will also be supported by the Fondazione Medicina a Misura di Donna Onlus. “It is precisely within this synergy – concludes Chiara Benedetto – that a new research doctorate will be activated entitled: Development of a lab on a chip for the non-invasive diagnosis of Endometriosis”.