Uterine leiomyosarcomas (uLMS) are rare but deadly mesenchymal tumours that originate in the smooth muscle tissue of the uterus. Similarly, leiomyomas (LM) also originate in this tissue, but are benign and very common. Our previous research has shown that extracellular matrix (ECM) signalling is a marker of poor prognosis in uterine sarcomas and shapes the tumour immune microenvironment. Thus, our ongoing research is focused on studying the differences in the communication between the ECM and tumour cells in malignant uLMS and benign LM with the goal of understanding the tumourigenesis process and finding new therapeutic targets. This project will combine a comprehensive characterisation of these tumours at the gene, protein, and physical levels with functional assays with patient-derived cells and advanced 3-dimensional cell culture systems. The student will use image analysis tools to quantify parameters of ECM architecture in tumour tissue and will use matching mechanical, proteomics, transcriptomics, and clinical patient data to investigate the contribution of these factors to malignancy. Moreover, the student will establish patient-derived primary cell and ex vivo tissue cultures. The student will apply ECM-based 3D hydrogels to study differences in ECM-cell communication between LM and uLMS using advanced microscopy techniques for quantification.