Meredith Wadman, Science Writer for CT News Junkie

A team from The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine in Farmington, Connecticut, has started a groundbreaking initiative to study endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside of the uterus. The project, which was officially launched last week, is made possible by the first government-mandated funding for endometriosis research in the United States.

Tissue samples are being collected from patients who have received treatment at the nearby UConn Health Center and have agreed to donate their tissue for storage and research. Researchers have already obtained samples from more than a dozen patients and are working to gather more. The goal is to better understand, identify, and treat this often misdiagnosed condition with the help of these tissue samples and the patients’ clinical stories.

The hope is that by studying these tissue samples and understanding the clinical histories of the patients, researchers will make progress in diagnosing and treating endometriosis more effectively. Endometriosis is a painful condition that affects many women, and through this initiative, researchers aim to provide valuable insights that can improve the lives of those with this condition.