Research
The human endometrium is a major theme underpinning my research. My group focuses on the understanding of three dimensional organisation, function, and regeneration of the human endometrium in order to address major unmet clinical needs in gynaecology. We therefore centre our research on pathologies related to menstrual related symptoms, fertility/ early pregnancy and endometrial cancer.
Our research is funded by MRC, Wellbeing of Women’s, NIHR and North West Cancer Research.
Our research utilises a wide range of research methodology that has been established in our labs and supported by our expert national and international collaborators including; complex 3D in vitro tissue culturing; endometrial histology, immunohistochemistry, immuno-fluorescence, in situ hybridisation, laser capture micro-dissection, NMR, mass-spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy, microarrays, RNA sequencing, imaging mass-spectroscopy as well as non-laboratory methods including systematic reviews and system biology.
Research grants
MRC (2021-2023): Identification of key transcriptional and functional differences in adenomyotic lesions to determine novel therapeutic targets
Wellbeing of Women’s (2018-2022); Metabolomics and cytokine profile analysis in biofluids to develop a non-invasive diagnostic test for ectopic pregnancy
NIHR/EME (2014-2022); EME Ulipristal versus conventional management of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB; including uterine fibroids): a randomised controlled trial and exploration of mechanism of action (UCON trial)
NWCR (2021-2022): Acceptable and efficient early screening tests for endometrial cancer (AESTEC) Study
Royal Saudi PhD studentship (2021-2024): Human Fallopian Tubal mucosa: phenotypical and functional characterisation in health & disease
RLUH/LWH PhD Studentships (2021-2024): Understanding the pathogenesis and symptoms of deep infiltrating endometriosis invading the bowel.
LWH/Hewitt Centre MD/PhD Studentships;
(2020-2023): Endometrial contribution to recurrent reproductive failure
(2020-2023): Comparative Analysis of Biofluids Obtained in Early Pregnancy to Predict Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes
(2020-2023): Application of MASs Spectrometry and NMR based metabolomics analysis in female biofluids in patients undergoing IVF treatment at both extremes of response
(2019-2022): Improving the diagnosis and treatment of Endometrial Cancer
(2019-2022); Assessment of Urogenital Atrophy
Early pregnancy establishment and ectopic pregnancies
Endometriosis and adenomyosis
Endometrial Cancer
Research grants
Acceptable and efficient early screening tests for endometrial cancer (AESTEC) Study
NORTH WEST CANCER RESEARCH INCORPORATING CLATTERBRIDGE CANCER RESEARCH (UK)
November 2021 - November 2022
Identification of Key Transcriptional and Functional Differences in Adenomyosis to Identify Novel Therapeutic Targets
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
June 2021 - July 2024
ExPedite study: Developing Metabolomics profile analysis in Bio fluids to Detect an Ectopic Pregnancy in symptomatic women in early pregnancy
WELLBEING OF WOMEN (UK)
November 2018 - May 2023
Feasibility of utilising two novel approaches to characterise the human endometrial epithelial cell subtypes
WELLBEING OF WOMEN (UK)
May 2018 - July 2020
Feasibility of employing Laser capture microdissection to conclusively isolate genes involved in the ectopic growth of endometrial epithelial / stromal cells in endometriotic lesions
WELLBEING OF WOMEN (UK)
January 2017 - August 2018
Ulipristal versus conventional management of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB; including uterine fibroids): a randomised controlled trial and exploration of mechanism of action (UCON trial)
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (UK)
July 2015 - June 2019
Analysis of human endometrial epithelial stem cells and their niche in health and disease by lineage labelling
WELLBEING OF WOMEN (UK)
August 2015 - July 2022
Feasibility of employing two novel techniques to identify endometrial epithelial stem progenitor cells and their niche in the human endometrium
WELLBEING OF WOMEN (UK)
August 2012 - August 2016
Endometriosis Millennium Fund 2004.
ROYAL COLLEGE OF OBSTETRICIANS AND GYNAECOLOGISTS (UK)
April 2004 - December 2011
Endometrial Cancer Metastasis and Cancer Stem Cells Funder & Programme
LIVERPOOL WOMEN'S NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (UK)
October 2012 - September 2015
The role of metastasis inducing proteins and telomerase in Endometrial cancer and in endometrial cancer stem cells; Implications for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment
WELLBEING OF WOMEN (UK)
January 2013 - January 2014
To investigate the diagnostic and prognostic utility of MIPs in endometrial cancer
THE HIGHER COMMITTEE FOR EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT IN IRAQ (HCED) (IRAQ)
September 2012 - September 2016
To investigate the role of the identified regulators of cell fate (RCF) and metastasis inducing proteins (MIP) in endometrial stem/progenitor cells (SPC) in establishing endometriosis.
WELLBEING OF WOMEN
October 2009 - July 2013
Research collaborations
Dr Marie Phelan
Metabolomics and cytokine profile analysis in biofluids to develop a non-invasive diagnostic test for ectopic pregnancy
Professor Roy Goodacre
Acceptable and efficient early screening tests for endometrial cancer (AESTEC) Study