Research
Mammalian germ cell and early embryonic development, with an emphasis on the regulation of meiotic division in oocytes.
Gametes (oocytes and sperm) have the incomparable task of transmitting the genome to successive generations. Therefore, ensuring that chromosome segregation occurs with high fidelity during meiosis is of fundamental biological importance. Errors in meiotic division can result in aneuploidy (an abnormal number of chromosomes) and thus lead to genomic stability in gametes as well as developing embryos upon fertilization. Aneuploidy is a leading cause of congenital birth defects such as Down Syndrome and pregnancy loss in women. Notably, oocytes are especially vulnerable to inaccuracies in chromosome segregation, particularly with increasing maternal age. Our research aims to understand why this process is error prone and the impact on early embryo development.
Our studies incorporate a wide array of experimental approaches including high resolution and live cell imaging, cellular and molecular biology techniques as well as unique genetic mouse models. Current research projects address the underlying mechanisms that (1) regulate meiotic spindle assembly and stability, (2) monitor accurate chromosome attachment to spindle microtubules, and (3) assess how these processes may be affected with increasing maternal age as well as exposure to environmental toxicants.
Our laboratory is also involved in the Interdisciplinary Toxicology and Regenerative Biosciences Programs at the University of Georgia.
KEY WORDS: oocyte and embryo development, meiosis, spindle assembly, genomic stability
