How to research the endometrium
A recent paper first-authored by Melbourne Bioinformatics' Jess Chung argues that current methods for researching the human endometrium are unable to accurately determine menstrual staging, meaning that many endometrial omics studies are unable to account for a key source of variation. The authors argue that the use of histological (the current gold standard) or hormonal biomarkers should therefore be complemented by new molecular-based methods, which can track daily changes in gene activity closely associated with the endometrial cycle.
Jess advises that 'researchers should always account for menstrual cycle timing when analysing endometrial omics data as it is a major source of variance'. Preferably, this should be done through 'continuous modelling of menstrual cycle time over categorical cycle phases', as splines or polynomials. She also suggests that they 'consider modelling for interaction effects as molecular changes from disease status or other phenotypic characteristics like age may change differently in different phases of the menstrual cycle'.
The paper can be read here:
The paper can be read here:
Chung, J., Rogers, P.A., 2025. Improving Replication in Endometrial Omics: Understanding the Influence of the Menstrual Cycle. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 26, 857. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26020857