Experimental Models of Endometriosis and Endometrial Disease

TOPICAL COLLECTIONS

Guest Editor

Debbie Fischer

University of Manchester

Dr. Debbie Fischer graduated from the University of Leeds and began work as a Research Technician at the Royal Veterinary College, whilst completing an MSc at Birkbeck, University of London. There she explored postpartum uterine disease in cattle with Prof. Martin Sheldon. Debbie then completed her PhD in Bradford under Prof Kay Marshall, investigating the role of hormones and autacoids in the isolated uterus of women. During this time, she worked as an intern at Allergan Pharmaceuticals, USA in drug discovery. Her postdoc focused on novel treatments for chronic pelvic pain and she was awarded a Yorkshire Enterprise Fellowship to identify diagnostic biomarkers for preterm labour. Debbie’s research in reproductive endocrine pharmacology is now continuing with Prof. Marshall at the University of Manchester. They have developed pre-clinical models of recurrent disease and are assessing new strategies to treat endometriosis and endometrial cancer using a biodegradable hydrogel healthcare technology.

Collection Overview

Endometriosis and other endometrial diseases, including adenomyosis, endometrial hyperplasia, and endometrial cancer, are major gynecological disorders affecting millions of individuals worldwide. These conditions are associated with chronic pelvic pain, infertility, abnormal uterine bleeding, and increased cancer risk, yet their underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Experimental models play a critical role in advancing our understanding of the hormonal, genetic, immunological, and environmental factors involved in disease initiation and progression. Advances in experimental platforms—including cellular systems, tissue-based models, animal studies, and integrative analytical approaches—have significantly expanded the capacity to investigate disease mechanisms and therapeutic responses.

Despite these developments, important challenges remain. Endometrial diseases are highly heterogeneous and involve complex interactions between endocrine signaling, immune regulation, tissue remodeling, and microenvironmental dynamics. No single experimental system fully recapitulates the complexity of human disease. Limitations in translating findings from experimental models to clinical contexts, variability in model design, and challenges in reproducing long-term disease progression continue to hinder progress. In addition, rapidly evolving technologies require continued methodological refinement and validation.

This Collection aims to bring together methods articles, original research articles, and reviews that highlight advances in experimental models and investigative strategies for studying endometriosis and related endometrial disorders. The collection will welcome contributions describing diverse experimental systems, methodological developments, mechanistic investigations, translational studies, and interdisciplinary approaches that improve disease modeling and understanding.

By integrating methodological advances with experimental and conceptual insights, this collection will provide the scientific community with a comprehensive resource to strengthen experimental rigor, enhance reproducibility, and accelerate progress toward improved diagnostics and therapies for endometrial diseases.