Hugh J. Clarke, PhD

13 Oct 2017

Contact information

Research interests

  • Growth and meiotic maturation of the oocyte
  • Communication between the growing oocyte and its follicular niche
  • In vitro systems that support oocyte growth and maturation

Prior to ovulation and fertilization, oocytes undergo a prolonged phase of growth within the ovarian follicle, during which they accumulate macromolecules and organelles that will sustain and direct early embryonic development, followed by a brief phase termed meiotic maturation, coincident with ovulation, and during which they complete the first and prepare for the second meiotic division. Growth and maturation of the oocyte are indispensable prerequisites in order to produce a healthy embryo after fertilization. Our lab focuses on three questions:

  1. How do growing oocytes establish and maintain communication with the neighbouring somatic cells of the ovarian follicle? This communication is essential for normal oocyte development. We have found that factors secreted by the oocyte induce the neighbouring somatic cells to extend filopodia to the oocyte, enabling communication lines to be established. Current work focuses on the molecular mechanism of this filopodial formation and on their fate during meiotic maturation.
  2. How do growing and maturing oocytes regulate mRNA translation? Many mRNAs synthesize by growing oocytes remain translationally silent until they are activated for translation during meiotic maturation. We are studying the mechanisms by which this translational control is exerted, and whether abnormal regulation of mRNA translational activation may contribute to the poor quality of in vitro-matured oocytes.
  3. Can healthy oocytes be grown in vitro? There is considerable clinical interest in developing culture systems that support oocyte growth in vitro. Systems developed to date, however, produce a very low yield of healthy oocytes. Using 3-dimensional matrices developed to model tumour growth, we are testing whether these can support the growth and development of healthy oocytes.

Members of the laboratory

Karen Freire Carvalho, MSc
PhD student
karen.carvalho@mail.mcgill.ca

Qin Yang, PhD
Research associate
yangqin2006@gmail.com

Publications

Daniel J. Bernard, PhD

13 Oct 2017

Contact information

Research interests

  • Transcriptional regulation of follicle-stimulating hormone synthesis
  • Mechanisms of GnRH action
  • Molecular mechanisms of IGSF1-deficiency syndrome

The Bernard’s lab investigates molecular mechanisms of pituitary hormone synthesis using in vitro and in vivo approaches.

Research in the lab concerns:

1) signal transduction mechanisms through which members of the transforming growth factor β superfamily regulate pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) synthesis,

2) mechanisms of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) signaling in pituitary gonadotrope cells.

3) hypothalamic-pituitary control of thyroid hormone production.

Members of the laboratory

Evan Buddle, BSc
Master student
evan.buddle@mail.mcgill.ca

Hailey Schultz, MSc
PhD student
Hailey.scultz@mail.mcgill.ca

Mary Loka, BSc
PhD student
mary.loka@mail.mcgill.ca

Yangfan Jin, BSc
PhD student
yangfan.jin@mail.mcgill.ca

Yeu-Farn (Claire) Lin, MSc
PhD student
Yeu-farn.lin@mail.mcgill.ca

Luisina Ongaro, PhD
Research associate
luisina.ongarogambino@mcgill.ca

Xiang Zhou, MSc
Laboratory technician
xiang.zhou3@mcgill.ca

Ying Wang, BSc
Laboratory technician
ying.wang5@mcgill.ca

Publications

Eric Asselin, PhD

13 Oct 2017

Contact information

Research interests

  • Uterine and ovarian biology, physiology and endocrinology
  • Hormone-dependent cancers of the female reproductive system
  • Animal models and transgenesis

Dr. Asselin’s research laboratory is interested understanding the regulation of cell survival and cell death in the context of embryo implantation, endometrial decidualization and in pathological conditions such as chemoresistance in gynecological cancers (endometrial and ovarian). More precisely, his laboratory has been actively investigating the PI-3K/Akt pathway in this context. Animal models, transgenic mouse human biopsies, cell lines are used in his laboratory to study this signaling pathway at the cellular and molecular level. His laboratory include 4 PhD students and 2 MSc students. For the last 24 years, he has trained more than 85 undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. His group has published more than 98 publications in peer-review international scientific journals, with a citation impact factor of 49 (H factor, goggle scholar). He was recipient of a FRQS chercheur-boursier, a CIHR New Investigator Award and the Canada Research Chair in Molecular Gyneco-oncology from 2006 to 2016.

Members of the laboratory

Pascal Adam, MSc
PhD student
pascal.adam@uqtr.ca

François Fabi
PhD student

Dadou Lokengo
PhD student

Junie Chansi, MSc
PhD student
junye3@gmail.com

Keven Vincent
MSc student

Laurence Tardif
MSc student

Sophie Parent
Lab manager

Publications

Derek Boerboom, DVM, PhD

11 Jun 2016

Contact information

Research interests

  • Roles of developmental signaling pathways in gonadal physiology
  • Cancers of the reproductive system
  • Transgenesis and functional genomics

Our primary field of interest is the role played by developmental signaling pathways in the functioning of the ovary. Pathways such as Wnt, Hippo and Slit/Robo are best known for their critical roles in a variety of tissues and cell types during embryonic development. It has become apparent, however, that these “developmental” pathways are also active in adult life, and their roles in this context are only beginning to become known. Using a functional genomics approach, our group has shown that the Wnt pathway is a key player in the ovary, acting downstream of the gonadotropins to regulate follicle survival, growth and ovulation. Current research projects are also examining the role of Hippo signaling in ovary and testis, as well as in the development of different cancers of the reproductive system, including the ovary, uterus and mammary gland.

Members of the laboratory

Florine Grudet, BSc
PhD student
florine.grudet@umontreal.ca

Philippe Godin, DVM
PhD student
phil.godin0934@gmail.com

Michael Bérubé
DVM/PhD student
michael.berube@umontreal.ca

Francis Marien-Bourgeois
Lab technician
francis.marien-bourgeois@umontreal.ca

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