Understanding the development and differentiation of
the early mammalian embryo is my overall research objective. We are:
(1) Characterizing spindle pole formation and function during meiosis.
We have shown that prior to the onset of maturation, two large foci
exist at the cortex which transform during maturation into multiple
microtubule organizing centers which act in place of centrioles. Prior
to this transformation these foci do not nucleate microtubles but
do con-tain gamma-tubulin. (2) Determining mechanisms for mitochondrial
localization. Our research shows that non spindle-associated mitochondria
are not uniformly distributed in the live, mature oocyte but are concentrated
in the hemisphere containing the metaphase II spindle.The distal margin
of this mitchondrial hemisphere is sharply demarcated at the cortex.
(3) Studying adhesion receptors (with C. Damsky), has resulted in
the identification of specific integrins and ECM molecules involved
in fertilization and implantation. (4) Isolating/sequencing a gene
for a specific cortical granule protein (with P. Talbot) will aid
in understanding fertilization and potential blocks to polyspermy. |
Biomedical Sciences (BMS) Graduate Program
