Immunology of Reproduction
The main research topic of our laboratory is Endometriosis (EDT), which is one of the most frequent benign gynecological diseases in women of reproductive age. It is defined by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity: at the ectopic site, the tissue adheres, becomes vascularized and proliferates, establishing what are known as endometriotic lesions. It is an inflammatory, chronic, estrogen-dependent and multifactorial disease. Although there are asymptomatic cases, the most commonly associated symptoms are infertility and pelvic pain that can be chronic or manifest as dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, dyschezia or dysuria. Pelvic pain is characterized by being disabling and progressive, negatively affecting the quality of life of patients, and generating a strong psychological, social and economic impact. It is the third cause of gynecological hospitalization and of all patients with endometriosis, 50-80% are infertile. Although it is an underdiagnosed disease, there are around 200 million women with endometriosis in the world and one million patients in Argentina. The studies that we carry out in our laboratory are aimed at evaluating new therapeutic alternatives for these patients that offer simpler treatments, with medicines of natural origin that act more directly on the implants without producing collateral effects, that inhibit the mechanisms involved in the development of the disease without preventing the possibility of pregnancy and that are more economical. We are also evaluating the effects of these potential new therapies on ovarian reserve and fertility.
Research area laboratories
Molecular Mechanisms of Fertilization
Dra. Patricia S. Cuasnicú
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Dr. Gustavo Helguera
Molecular and Functional Glycomics
Dra. Karina V. Mariño
Glycomedicine
Dr. Gabriel Adrian Rabinovich
Tumor Immunology
Dra. Roxana Schillaci
Immunology of Reproduction
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