Metabolic And Molecular Basis Of Embryo Signalling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$409,836.00
Summary
Cells in the body are powered by mitochondria that essentially generate the energy required for development. This grant will determine how the environment affects the mitochondria in the developing embryo and determine the impacts to the embryo and pregnancy if a mitochondria is partially shut down.
Compound Culture Media To Improve Human IVF Pregnancies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$254,340.00
Summary
In Australia 1 in 6 couples require IVF to conceive. Although pregnancy rates have improved over the last 10 years the live birth rate in Australia per cycle is only 17%. This project will assess a new method for the culture of embryos for the ability to maintain embryo vitality and produce healthy babies.
The Function Of Gametogenenin In Male Fertility And Embryogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$537,579.00
Summary
We have identified gametogenetin as novel protein involved in sperm production and in the very earliest stages of embryo survival. It is found within the sperm tail where it binds to cysteine-rich secretory protein 2. The aim of this project is to further refine the biochemistry of GGN using a combination of binding studies, expression analyses and the characterization of two unique mouse models. This project has direct relevance to the causes of human infertility and contraceptive development.
Characterisation Of The Pathways Leading To DNA Demethylation In The Embryo.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$634,573.00
Summary
Complex living creatures like humans have specialised cells that co-operate to form important organs like brains and reproductive organs. Specialised cells have specific genes locked on or off. When a sperm fertilises an egg, all the switches of the genes that are locked on or off get reset to neutral so that the fertilised egg can divide and grow into all cell types in the body. We do not know how this resetting happens in the egg. This project seeks to discover the mechanism involved.