From polygenic risk to functional genomics: a framework for precision gynecological disease modeling
Gynecological conditions including endometriosis, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome and malignancies cause widespread chronic morbidity and infertility, yet translating genetic discoveries into biological mechanisms remains challenging. We propose a framework integrating biobank-derived human genetic data, patient-derived stem cell models, and advanced tissue engineering. By combining naturally occurring genetic variation with targeted genome engineering and high-resolution molecular analyses, this approach promises to enable mechanistic insights and therapeutic discovery. We discuss methodological, ethical, and translational challenges, including polygenic risk score construction, variant prioritization, ancestry-related limitations, and modeling hormonal microenvironments. Together, this framework offers a roadmap for advancing functional genomics and precision medicine across gynecological diseases.
Authors
- Masuma Khatun (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2976-2319)
- Andres Salumets (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1251-8160)
- Juha S. Tapanainen
Institutions
- Karolinska University Hospital (SE)
- University of Helsinki (FI)
- Helsinki University Hospital (FI)
- Karolinska Institutet (SE)
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies (Estonia) (EE)
- University of Tartu (EE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2026-08-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-77342-1
- Primary Topic
- Genetic Associations and Epidemiology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Eesti Teadusagentuur
- Suomen Kulttuurirahasto
- Novo Nordisk
- Vetenskapsrådet
- Sigrid Juséliuksen Säätiö
- K. Albin Johanssons Stiftelse
- Novo Nordisk Fonden
- HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme
- Uudenmaan Rahasto