This project investigates the functional role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the early stages of endometriosis, a chronic gynecological disease with significant diagnostic challenges. The aim is to better understand how early molecular alterations contribute to disease initiation and progression. The study focuses on a set of candidate miRNAs that were identified in previous projects as being consistently dysregulated during early disease development in animal models and patients. Using experimental cell-based models complemented by primary human samples, the research explores how miRNAs influence key cellular processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and angiogenesis. In addition, downstream target genes and associated signaling pathways are systematically identified and functionally characterized. The project is conducted in collaboration with international partners, including Yale School of Medicine, and integrates molecular profiling with functional validation. Transcriptome-wide approaches are used to capture global gene expression changes following miRNA modulation, enabling the identification of regulated pathways and candidate targets. These findings are subsequently validated using complementary molecular and functional assays to ensure robust and reproducible results across experimental systems. The overall goal is to uncover early disease mechanisms that may support the development of improved diagnostic strategies and more targeted therapeutic approaches.