Design: Translational research

Setting: Academic Health Center and International Research Institute

Patients or Participants: Obstetricians/Gynecologists and Basic Science Researchers

Interventions: Establishment of Collaborative Translational Research Program

Measurements and Main Results: This program started in 2018 between the UConn Health Center and the Jackson Laboratory for Genomics Medicine between a MIGS surgeon and a single cell biology researcher with a common passion for endometriosis. The program was granted funding from the Dept of Defense to support the use of single cell biology techniques to investigate endometriosis. Over 50 participants have been recruited and their surgical specimens have been analyzed in the research laboratory, which led to discoveries including immunological and angiogenic changes in endometriotic lesions (published in Nature Cell Biology 2022). The program has since expanded to include other OBGYN specialists (REI, MFM) with multi-subspecialty research meetings, and additional ongoing translational research studies in endometriosis. This collaboration with the help of state legislators and advocates led to the passage of Public Act No. 23-67 – An Act Concerning Endometriosis – which supported creation of a state-wide, multi-institutional biorepository (CTEndoRISE).

Conclusion: Clinicians and surgeons should take advantage of the recent surge in attention and funding for women’s health and initiate research and advocacy programs. Use of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach involving clinicians across specialties, basic science researchers, as well as patient advocates and lawmakers, can lead to greater and quicker success in translational research over the traditional approach with limited interaction between clinicians and basic science researchers.