Centre for Women's Health Research News

MIMR researcher WOWs international organisation

Dr Caroline Gargett, from the Centre for Women’s Health Research, has received the prestigious Wellbeing of Women (WOW) award with her international collaborators.

The team, which includes Dr Dharani Hapangama, Professor Philip S Rudland and Dr Siobhan Quenby from Liverpool University, Dr Gabriele Saretzki and Professor Thomas von Zglinicki from Newcastle University and Dr Gargett, are studying the importance of endometrial stem cells in developing endometriosis, with the view to developing potential therapeutics.

Dr Gargett gained international recognition for their identification of two types of stem cells in the endometrium or lining of the uterus.  She was also the first person to isolate these cells for use in research into common gynaecological disorders such as endometriosis and pelvic floor prolapse.

The WOW award will enable Dr Gargett and the team to conduct research which may provide new insights into the mechanisms involved in normal growth of endometrium in healthy women compared to the abnormal endometrial growth associated with endometriosis.

This research may also provide new markers for the development of non-invasive tests for diagnosing endometriosis and new targets to develop more effective treatments for the large number of women who suffer with endometriosis.