This is a study of the biological system of epigenetics. Every cell in our body has the same genetics, or library of information contained in the form of DNA sequence. Epigenetics is the system that controls how this DNA is used in a particular situation, or what books are opened and read. During embryonic development, cells know what they want to become, e.g., a muscle cell, and, once they take on an identity, remember that they are when they duplicate themselves during growth. Epigenetics does ....This is a study of the biological system of epigenetics. Every cell in our body has the same genetics, or library of information contained in the form of DNA sequence. Epigenetics is the system that controls how this DNA is used in a particular situation, or what books are opened and read. During embryonic development, cells know what they want to become, e.g., a muscle cell, and, once they take on an identity, remember that they are when they duplicate themselves during growth. Epigenetics does not achieve this through changing genetics the library always stays intact. Rather, it acts by using proteins or chemicals to make DNA functional in one way, or another. Genomic imprinting is a special type of epigenetics. While an embryo has received identical genetic information from each of its parents, the epigenetic information received from each parent was not entirely the same. Some genes which behave differently according to what parent they came from. For example, a gene that makes a growth factor protein is active only if received from the father. If received from the mother, it is inactive, and makes no protein. Genes behaving in this way are known as imprinted genes. We are trying to discover what epigenetic mechanisms are behind this behaviour of imprinted genes. One way we are approaching this problem is to study germ cells the cells giving rise to eggs and sperm. These cells are unusual in that their imprinted genes behave in the same way regardless of whether they were received from the mother or father, i.e., like any other gene. If we can understand why this is the case, we will be better able to understand why imprinted genes behave the way they do in the rest of the cells of the body. Broadly, the mechanisms we uncover should further our understanding of germ cell development, gene expression, and disease. Perturbations in the epigenetic profile are likely causes of human disease, including cancer.Read moreRead less
This is a study of the biological system of epigenetics. Every cell in our body has the same genetics, or library of information contained in the form of DNA sequence. Epigenetics is the system that controls how this DNA is used in a particular situation, or what books are opened and read. During embryonic development, cells know what they want to become, e.g., a muscle cell, and, once they take on an identity, remember that they are when they duplicate themselves during growth. Epigenetics does ....This is a study of the biological system of epigenetics. Every cell in our body has the same genetics, or library of information contained in the form of DNA sequence. Epigenetics is the system that controls how this DNA is used in a particular situation, or what books are opened and read. During embryonic development, cells know what they want to become, e.g., a muscle cell, and, once they take on an identity, remember that they are when they duplicate themselves during growth. Epigenetics does not achieve this through changing genetics - the library always stays intact. Rather, it acts by using proteins or chemicals to make DNA functional in one way, or another. Genomic imprinting is a special type of epigenetics. While an embryo has received identical genetic information from each of its parents, the epigenetic information received from each parent was not entirely the same. Some genes which behave differently according to what parent they came from. For example, a gene that makes a growth factor protein is active only if received from the father. If received from the mother, it is inactive, and makes no protein. Genes behaving in this way are known as imprinted genes. We are trying to discover what epigenetic mechanisms are behind this behaviour of imprinted genes. One way we are approaching this problem is to study germ cells - the cells giving rise to eggs and sperm. These cells are unusual in that their imprinted genes behave in the same way regardless of whether they were received from the mother or father, i.e., like any other gene. If we can understand why this is the case, we will be better able to understand why imprinted genes behave the way they do in the rest of the cells of the body. Broadly, the mechanisms we uncover should further our understanding of germ cell development, gene expression, and disease. Perturbations in the epigenetic profile are likely causes of human disease, including cancer.Read moreRead less
My research is to learn more of the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms governing the development of the reproductive cell lineage, or the cells that make eggs and sperm. My research is required to better understand human reproduction and human embryonic, fetal and neonatal development, and will help in the treatment of diseases affecting these processes.
This research program entitled Stem cells from the testis is designed to use cutting edge molecular and cellular biology techniques to isolate adult stem cells from the testis. These stem cells will be expanded in cell culture and tested for therapeutic activity in mouse models of infertility, leukaemia and kidney failure. The knowledge and techniques developed in the mouse system may help unlock the potential of human cell based therapies for these and other degenerative diseases.
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.
Postnatal Germ Cells Are Controlled By FSH During 'minipuberty' At 3-6 Months, And Deranged By Cryptorchidism To Cause Seminoma And Infertility
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$813,739.00
Summary
This study will investigate the exciting possibility that the risk of cancer and infertility in adulthood in infants born with undescended testes might be obviated by understanding how primitive sperm cells behave in the postnatal testis. The study will define the key changes to the primitive sperm cells, including their timing and control by hormones, so surgery is done at the right time +/-accessory hormone treatment to optimise future sperm function for babies with undescended testes.
Determining The Impact Of Inherited Epigenetic Information On Development And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$511,691.00
Summary
Recent observations show that the environment in which you live can alter disease susceptibility in your children, without altering the sequence of your genes. This is due to epigenetic mechanisms which control the way the DNA is interpreted. In this study we will study the potential for epigenetic mechanisms to affect sperm production and impact characteristics and disease in the next generation.
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).
Epigenetic Regulation Of Male Fetal Germ Cell Development.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$562,176.00
Summary
Men’s health has declined over recent decades, but the causes remain unknown. Non-genetic (epigenetic) mechanisms affecting formation and function of the male germ cells (which produce sperm) may play an important role. We will determine the role of a key epigenetic modifier on the formation and function of male germ cells, including germ cell tumours. This study will provide fundamental insights into male germ cell epigenetics, and significantly contribute to understanding men's health.