Project description
Endometriosis is a disease that affects women of reproductive age worldwide, caused by the abnormal growth of the endometrial lining outside of the uterus. While the disease can cause various symptoms, the most common are varying degrees of pain and discomfort. This has individual effects and socioeconomic implications, such as increased sick leave, mental health issues, and the use of various pain management methods. Endometriosis is also a known cause of infertility, which can significantly impact both affected individuals and society as a whole.
Current diagnostic methods typically involve a pelvic examination and transvaginal ultrasound, followed by MRI scans if necessary. However, laparoscopic exploratory surgery is the only sure way to diagnose endometriosis and is the only available treatment. This procedure is invasive, painful, and dependent on the skill of the surgeon performing it.
Our goal is to develop a cheaper, safer, and more efficient diagnostic method for endometriosis using blood-miRNA biomarkers and a CRISPR-dCas12 detection system. We aim to create a test similar to a lateral flow COVID-19 test, which would be a significant step towards making this essential diagnostic tool available to people in regions of the world where labs are scarce and less well-equipped. While a sophisticated lab would still be required to use the test, it is a step in the right direction.
Many patients report feeling like they are not being taken seriously by their healthcare providers and primary care physicians, which can lead to stress and doubt about their experiences and increase the risk of depression and anxiety disorders. By offering an easier method of diagnosis or an indicator for further testing, we hope to lower the bar for doctors to test for the disease.
Although there is no treatment for endometriosis other than surgically removing the affected tissues, certain types of hormonal birth control can delay the development of the disease and help manage the symptoms. An earlier diagnosis, therefore, has the potential to improve the quality of life for affected women. It is also worth mentioning that this diagnostic method can be modified and applied to other diseases in the future.
Video
Achievements
- Silver medal
- Nomination for The Special Prize in Best Part Collection.
The students in the team
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Anna Lislerud
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Mats Asakskogen Landfald
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Morten Hauger
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Patricia Petrikonyte
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Sindre Sørem
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Wiki
The teams Wiki page at igem.org.
