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Endogenous Oestrogen Is A Key Missing Link In Urethral Hypospadias
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$456,467.00
Summary
Defects in penis development are among the most common birth abnormalities, and affect around 1 in every 150 live male births in Australia. Development of the penis is known to be driven by male hormones (androgens), but we have recently shown that oestrogen also plays a role in this process. This project will define the role of estrogen in penis development and how a loss or gain of estrogens can cause developmental defects.
I am a reproductive physiologist who collaborates with a number of leading Hospital, University and Institute Research Groups nationally and internationally examining the potential of genetically modified pigs as organ, tissue and cell donors for humans.
Facilitating Endometrial Receptivity To Improve Pregnancy Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$734,252.00
Summary
The womb prepares itself in each menstrual cycle for pregnancy and the implantation of an embryo. In some women, the endometrium may not prepare itself adequately and this can lead to infertility. We have identified small RNA that may be useful in predicting which women are not adequately prepared for implantation and may be used to develop treatments for infertile women, for which there are currently no treatments.
Role Of The Histone Variant H3.3 In Germ Cell Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$581,223.00
Summary
Over their life cycle, germ cells are unique in undergoing a large scale reformatting of their gene or DNA control systems, required for their own development, and for the development of the fertilized egg. We think that the protein ïhistone H3.3Í is crucial to this reformatting process. We will test this possibility by determining how much H3.3 is present in germ cells. Also, we will make mice which lack this protein in germ cells to see if this affects the reformatting process.
BH3-only Proteins Are Critical For The Developmentally Programmed Death Of Oocytes: Impact On Ooctye Quality And The Fertile Lifespan
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$273,537.00
Summary
The ability of women to have healthy children, and the age at which menopause occurs, are largely dependent on the number and quality of the eggs stored in their ovaries. For unknown reasons, around two-thirds of all eggs die very shortly after they are made. We are unraveling the genes involved in determining whether an egg will live or die, and are investigating the role of these genes as _quality control sentinels", responsible for ensuring that only the highest quality eggs are ovulated.
Identification And Analysis Of Novel Genes And Regulatory Regions Associated With Disorders Of Sex Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Children born with a disorder of sex development (DSD) may differ from typical males or females in their chromosomes, hormones or reproductive organs, sometimes resulting in infertility or gonadal cancer. DSDs are the most common birth defect and yet, most cases are unexplained genetically. I hope to identify new genes needed for gonad formation that cause DSD when mutated. This work will provide answers as to how DSDs arise, and allow informed decision-making regarding possible treatments.
Genetic testing of IVF embryos promises to improve success but shows no effect of live-birth rates. Many embryos are mosaic: containing cells with correct and incorrect chromosome numbers. Current testing is an invasive biopsy which fails to diagnose how many cells are abnormal in the cells that develop into the baby. Here we will use imaging to determine the ratio of abnormal:normal cells resulting in a non-invasive diagnostic that will improve IVF success.
Translating Oocyte Biology Discoveries To New Clinical Practices
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$772,605.00
Summary
A/Professor Gilchrist is a reproductive biologist studying factors that regulate the intrinsic quality of unfertilised eggs. He has produced and patented the use of unique growth factors produced by the egg that enhance egg quality in women. Bringing together industry and a world-leading clinic, he is developing new forms of hormone-free infertility treatment which he will take to clinical practice over the next 5 years.