Descripción del proyecto
Visualización de la ovogénesis
El objetivo del proyecto financiado con fondos europeos JOLI es estudiar la ovogénesis, es decir, el proceso estrictamente regulado de maduración y producción de ovocitos que es clave para el desarrollo. Sus investigadores emplearán técnicas de imagenología «in vivo» para visualizar la ovogénesis en la especie de hidrozoo «Clytia hemisphaerica», que posee gónadas ópticamente conspicuas. La visualización de todo el proceso, desde la célula madre hasta el ovocito, proporcionará información nueva y relevante sobre la transición desde la proliferación mitótica de células madre germinales hasta la meiosis. Es más, el equipo de JOLI estudiará el papel de moléculas específicas en la ovogénesis, así como en el proceso de meiosis y el emparejamiento cromosómico. Una mejor comprensión de la ovogénesis ayudará a determinar las causas de la infertilidad femenina.
Objetivo
Oocyte production is a key feature of animal development, comprising a series of carefully regulated events. This project will exploit a new experimental model, the hydrozoan Clytia hemisphaerica, to analyse by live imaging approaches the entire process of oogenesis in isolated female gonads from stem cell to oocyte for the first time. Analyses will focus on early events largely inaccessible in existing animal models, covering the transition from mitotic proliferation of germ cell precursors to meiotic entry. Key events include homologous chromosome pairing, synaptonemal complex formation, and meiotic double strand break formation. Clytia gonads are optically clear, simply organised and maintain oocyte production for several days ex-vivo. The three specific project objectives are 1) to define the spatiotemporal progression of early oogenesis through molecular cartography of the different precursor pools and cell morphology characterisation; 2) to establish conditions for long term imaging, including development of fluorescent markers; 3) to address the function of the key enzyme Spo11 by combining live imaging with CRISPR-mediated gene knockout, monitoring the movements of homologous chromosomes during pairing and identifying the sites of synaptonemal complex polymerisation. This multifaceted project represents a thematic shift for the applicant and involves a new collaboration between expert labs with complementary strengths in developmental, molecular, and cellular biology. Two-way transfer of knowledge will enable the candidate to develop new skills (microscopy, live imaging, transgenics) whilst introducing her existing expertise with cnidarian biology and bioinformatics to the host labs. The project will improve understanding of the cellular and molecular dynamics of meiosis, establish a new experimental model for oogenesis studies, and provide the candidate with a solid foundation of complementary experience to fulfill her long term career objectives.
Ámbito científico
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesphysical geographycartography
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsmicroscopy
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsheredity
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticschromosomes
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsenzymes
Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
MSCA-IF-EF-RI - RI – Reintegration panelCoordinador
75005 Paris
Francia