During the project, we have performed a detailed analysis of the cellular composition and molecular signature that control development and maturation of the egg cell within the human ovary from fetal and adult tissue using single-cell transcriptomics. Moreover, we have used adult ovary tissue to develop a culture method to grow primordial follicles from cryopreserved ovarian cortex using different culture media and scaffolds. We have worked on culture protocols not only to use on fresh ovarian tissue, but to use on cryopreserved ovarian tissue from cisgender and transgender persons. Finally, using fetal ovaries we have been investigating the origin of granulosa cells, the somatic cells that support the egg cell during maturation, using live imaging and electron microscopy.
Our work has the potential to refine and transform fertility preservation options, impacting the quality of life of a growing number of people that include oncological patients and transgender man. As international recognition, I was invited to deliver the Anne McLaren Memorial Lecture at the annual meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) in 2021.
Due to extensive knowhow acquired during this project, I was invited to join the EU-expert taskforce to create an evidence-based guideline from the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) on Female Fertility Preservation, and I was invited to join the EU-expert taskforce advising on the Reproductive and Development Systems to the European Space Agency (ESA) SciSpacE roadmap, providing me with a larger international platform to disseminate the work developed during the project.
