Early lineage specification in mammalian embryos

Growing understanding of the pre-implantation mammalian development resulted in significant advances in assisted reproduction techniques and in regenerative medicine field. Pluripotent precursors of both embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and foetus cells arise within inner cell mass (ICM) of the mammalian blastocyst. The process that leads to the specification of pluripotent population is still not very well understood. This project will explore how the epiblast (a pluripotent cell lineage) and primitive endoderm (a supportive tissue) differentiates within ICM. In particular, we want to determine whether the signals initiating epiblast specification result from cell-cell and cell-environment interactions or whether the process remains under the genetic control of transcriptional factors. We also want to clarify what factors are crucial for the stabilisation of the epiblast lineage during development.

In this project, student will have a chance to learn basic molecular biology methods as well as more advance methods used in experimental embryology and IVF clinics, such as embryo handling and culture, microinjection and micromanipulation.