Microtubule Severing: A Role In Mammalian Oocyte And Embryo Viability?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,251.00
Summary
In all cells, cell division is controlled by a microtubule based structure known as the spindle. Abnormal function of this spindle leads to loss and gain of chromosomes that in oocytes causes early embryo loss and in cells of the body it causes cancer and cell death. We will investigate a family of proteins that modify microtubules and explore the role they play in ensuring cell division happnens safely.
Katanin P80 Is A Key Regulator Of Microtubule Dynamics And Male Fertility.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$603,756.00
Summary
Male fertility is a complex process requiring the co-ordinated activation of thousands of gene products. It is not surprising therefore that 1 in 15 Australian men are infertile. This project will explore an essential pathways for sperm production, specifically related to sperm shaping and motility. This work may ultimately have implications for the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility, but also for pathology in tissues will similar cellular structures.
Finding The Missing Katanin Required For Male Fertility
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$417,214.00
Summary
Microtubules are a key element of all cells, including in the male germ line. In this project we will define the function of the microtubule severing protein KATNA1 in male fertility. This will be achieved using a unique model and state-of-the-art technologies. This project will have immediate relevance to the 1 in 20 Australian men who suffer from infertility but will also inform KATNA1 function in the many other tissues where KATNA1 is produced.
Exposing The Mechanisms Underlying Mammalian Meiotic Onset
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$536,563.00
Summary
Germ cells must undergo a special form of cell division, meiosis, before they can form oocytes in females or sperm in males. We want to know, in detail, how meiosis is triggered in germ cells and what the first steps are in meiotic progression. This information will help us understand the causative factors in infertility (1 in 6 couples of reproductive age are infertile), control fertility (develop new contraceptives) and avoid testicular cancer (the most common tumour type in young men).
The Characterisation Of An Essential Regulator Of Pre-mRNA Splicing Required For Germ Cell Function And Male Fertility
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,116,739.00
Summary
The male germ line is a fantastic system within which to define processes of fundamental importance to cell biology and health broadly. Within this grant we will define the role of a poorly described RNA splicing factor in all of stem cell function (spermatogonia), meiosis (spermatocytes) and in the remarkable metamorphosis underlying spermatid maturation. This will be done using a range of phenotypic characterizations, CHIP and RNA Seq technologies and gene sequencing.