Embryology

Embryology

Embryology is a fundamental discipline for understanding the foundations of development in multicellular organisms, from fertilization to the formation of complex embryonic structures such as organs and organ systems. Embryology aims to elucidate the cellular, genetic, and epigenetic mechanisms that orchestrate embryonic development. This field is essential for better understanding the origins of certain diseases, particularly reproductive disorders, congenital malformations, and early pregnancy complications.
Within the RQR, several researchers are making significant contributions to advancing knowledge in this area.

Vilceu Bordignon’s laboratory seeks to understand how the very first embryos manage to survive and develop when exposed to stressful conditions. To do so, he uses cow and pig embryos created in the lab using various assisted reproduction techniques. Julie Brind’Amour aims to understand how gene regulation from the mother is erased and replaced by that of the embryo. This change, called epigenetic reprogramming, is essential for the embryo’s genes to activate properly from the earliest stages of development. Greg FitzHarris investigates why some eggs or very early embryos do not develop correctly. He particularly studies errors that may occur during chromosome division, which can lead to abnormalities in chromosome number (called aneuploidies). His goal is to use this knowledge to improve treatments in fertility clinics.

Loydie A. Jerome-Majewska studies how certain essential structures around the embryo, such as the placenta, are formed by observing how two tissues, called the chorion and the allantois, interact. She is also interested in how the face and neck develop in the embryo by analyzing the genes involved in this process. William Pastor focuses on the earliest days of embryonic development. He studies how certain cells called trophoblasts, which will later form the placenta, become specialized. He also examines how the embryo’s DNA is “programmed” so that certain genes are turned on or off in a stable way from the start of development.

Sarah Kimmins investigates how the parents’ environment—especially the father’s—can influence the development of the future baby. She studies how factors like diet or exposure to toxic substances can alter gene expression in the embryo and how these effects can be passed on to future generations. Lawrence C. Smith studies how cells can be reprogrammed to return to a state similar to that of embryonic cells. He focuses particularly on the effects of this reprogramming—such as in cloning or with stem cells—on the genetic marks left by the parents’ genes during the earliest stages of embryonic development. Aimee Ryan studies proteins called claudins, which play an important role during the early steps of body formation in the embryo. She focuses especially on their role in the closure of the neural tube (which will become the brain and spinal cord) and in organizing the body plan of the embryo. She analyzes how these proteins help cells communicate and change shape to build tissues.

By integrating complementary approaches ranging from molecular biology to animal modeling, these research efforts contribute to a better understanding of early embryonic events and their implications for reproduction, perinatal health, and clinical interventions in reproductive medicine.