This sandwich placement will be based in the lab of Alberto Elosegui-Artola.

Project summary

Human reproduction is remarkably inefficient, with implantation failure representing a major barrier to pregnancy and a persistent challenge in assisted reproductive technologies. Yet, the mechanisms regulating implantation remain poorly understood, as studying this process in situ is ethically and experimentally challenging.

Our goal is to elucidate how the mechanochemical endometrial environment regulates implantation and early embryo morphogenesis. Although implantation requires embryo invasion into the uterine tissue, the role of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and endometrial cells remains largely unexplored.

Based on our preliminary data, we will investigate the influence of endometrial epithelial and mesenchymal cells in embryo implantation in health and disease. To test this, we will engineer biomimetic matrices that recapitulate the healthy human endometrial ECM, supporting implantation and development up to day 14 post-fertilization, as well as pathological states associated with implantation failure. Using these platforms, we will determine how ECM properties influence endometrial cell responses, how endometrial cells guide implantation, and how endometrial dysfunction contributes to implantation failure and pregnancy loss.

The student will use 3D biomaterials, high-resolution microscopy, quantitative imaging, cell culture, transcriptomics and computational analysis. This work will determine the influence of endometrial cells in embryo implantation using matrices that mimic healthy and pathological states, such as endometriosis. This will provide new insights into implantation failure and potential strategies to improve reproductive success.

Candidate background