A5043589081- Pluripotent Stem Cells Research
- Reproductive Biology and Fertility
- Sperm and Testicular Function
- CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
- Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
- Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
- Renal and related cancers
- Prenatal Substance Exposure Effects
- Reproductive Health and Technologies
- DNA Repair Mechanisms
- Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals
- Cell Adhesion Molecules Research
- Genetic Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
- Bladder and Urothelial Cancer Treatments
- Cellular Mechanics and Interactions
- Hippo pathway signaling and YAP/TAZ
- Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
- 3D Printing in Biomedical Research
- Carcinogens and Genotoxicity Assessment
- Congenital heart defects research
- COVID-19 Impact on Reproduction
- Birth, Development, and Health
- Axon Guidance and Neuronal Signaling
University of Georgia
2018-2024
Georgia College & State University
2019-2024
Emory University
2013-2024
Emory National Primate Research Center
2018-2021
Institute of Cell Biology
2015
Magee-Womens Research Institute
2010-2012
University of Pittsburgh
2010-2012
Virginia Commonwealth University
2006-2009
Memorial Hospital
1974
Brisbane School of Theology
1967
Background Human pluripotent stem cells have the ability to generate all cell types present in adult organism, therefore harboring great potential for vitro study of differentiation and development cell-based therapies. Nonetheless their use may prove challenging as incomplete these might lead tumoregenicity. Interestingly, many cancer been reported display metabolic modifications with features that be similar cells. Understanding properties human when compared differentiated counterparts...
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent (hiPSCs) have been shown to differentiate into primordial germ (PGCs) but not spermatogonia, haploid spermatocytes, or spermatids. Here, we show that hESCs hiPSCs directly advanced male cell lineages, including postmeiotic, spermatid-like cells, in vitro without genetic manipulation. Furthermore, our procedure mirrors spermatogenesis vivo by differentiating PSCs UTF1-, PLZF-, CDH1-positive spermatogonia-like cells; HIWI-...
Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have the capability to undergo self-renewal and differentiation into all somatic cell types. Since they can be produced through reprogramming, which uses a defined set of transcription factors, iPS represent important sources patient-specific for clinical applications. However, before these used in therapeutic designs, it is essential understand their genetic stability.Here, we describe DNA damage responses human cells. We observe hypersensitivity...
Progranulin (PGRN) is a secreted growth factor important for neuronal survival and may do so, in part, by regulating lysosome homeostasis. Mutations the PGRN gene (GRN) are common cause of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) lead to disease through haploinsufficiency. Additionally, complete loss humans leads ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL), lysosomal storage disease. Importantly, Grn-/- mouse models recapitulate pathogenic features NCL. Further, GRN variants that decrease expression...
Deciding to exit pluripotency and undergo differentiation is of singular importance for pluripotent cells, including embryonic stem cells (ESCs). The molecular mechanisms these decisions differentiate, as well reversing those during induced (iPS), have focused largely on transcriptomic controls. Here, we explore the role translational control maintenance differentiate. Global protein translation significantly reduced in hESCs compared their differentiated progeny. Furthermore, p70 S6K...
Cardiomyocytes derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are a promising cell source for regenerative medicine, disease modeling, and drug discovery, all of which require enriched cardiomyocytes, ideally ones with mature phenotypes. However, current methods typically performed in 2D environments that produce immature cardiomyocytes within heterogeneous populations. Here, we generated 3D aggregates (cardiospheres) differentiation cultures hPSCs using microscale technology rotary...
In 1973, the Velsicol Chemical Company, which manufactured FireMaster, a brominated flame retardant, and NutriMaster, nutritional supplement, mistakenly shipped hundreds of pounds FireMaster to grain mills around Michigan where it was incorporated into animal feed then food chain across state. An estimated 6.5 million residents consumed polybrominated biphenyl (PBB)-laced products leading one largest agricultural accidents in U.S. history. To date, there have been no studies investigating...
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) represent a highly ubiquitous group of synthetic chemicals used in products ranging from water oil repellents lubricants to firefighting foam. These can enter accumulate multiple tissue matrices up 100% people assessed. Though animal models strongly identify these compounds as male reproductive toxicants, with exposed rodents experiencing declines sperm count, alterations hormones, DNA damage spermatids, among other adverse outcomes, human studies...
Transient elevations in Ca2+ have previously been shown to promote focal adhesion disassembly and cell motility through an unknown mechanism. In this study, evidence is provided show that CaMK-II, a Ca2+/calmodulin dependent protein kinase, influences fibroblast motility. TIRF microscopy reveals dynamic population of CaMK-II at the surface migrating cells. Inhibition with two mechanistically distinct, membrane permeant inhibitors (KN-93 myr-AIP) freezes lamellipodial dynamics, accelerates...
Sperm counts have rapidly declined in Western males over the past four decades. This rapid decline remains largely unexplained, but exposure to environmental toxicants provides one potential explanation for this decline. Flame retardants are highly prevalent and persistent environment, many not been assessed their effects on human spermatogenesis. Using a stem cell-based model of spermatogenesis, we evaluated two major flame retardants, hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) tetrabromobisphenol A...
Abstract Background With the growing availability of cannabis and popularization additional routes use beyond smoking, including edibles, prevalence in pregnancy is rapidly increasing. However, potential effects prenatal on fetal developmental programming remain unknown. Results We designed this study to determine whether edible during deleterious placental epigenome. Pregnant rhesus macaques consumed a daily containing either delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (2.5 mg/7 kg/day) or placebo....
Cellular reprogramming from adult somatic cells into an embryonic cell–like state, termed induced pluripotency, has been achieved in several cell types. However, the ability to reprogram human amniotic epithelial (hAECs), abundant source derived discarded placental tissue, only recently investigated. Here we show that not are hAECs easily reprogrammed pluripotent stem (AE-iPSCs), but faster and more efficiently than neonatal dermal fibroblasts. Furthermore, AE-iPSCs express higher levels of...
Environmental influences and insults by reproductive toxicant exposure can lead to impaired spermatogenesis or infertility. Understanding how toxicants disrupt is critical for determining environmental factors contribute fertility. While current animal models are available, understanding of the toxic effects on human fertility requires a more robust model system. We recently demonstrated that pluripotent stem cells differentiate into spermatogonial cells/spermatogonia, primary secondary...
Cannabis use in the United States is increasing, with highest consumption among men at their peak reproductive years. We previously demonstrated widespread changes sperm DNA methylation cannabis exposure humans and rats, including genes important neurodevelopment. Here, we an vitro human spermatogenesis model to recapitulate chronic assess imprinted autism spectrum disorder (ASD) candidate spermatogonial stem cell (SSC)- spermatid-like cells. Methylation maternally SGCE GRB10 was...