Research Embryology Laboratory

What are our interests?

The environment surrounding the maturing oocyte and early mammalian embryo has a profound influence on the immediate and long-term developmental potential. In particular, how oocytes and embryos respond to their immediate environment, both in vivo and in vitro, continues to be the laboratory's major research focus. The ruminant and mouse embryo are the preferred model to investigate such phenomenon, although new federal and state legislation create an opportunity to conduct work with human oocytes and embryos donated to specific research projects.

Who are we?

Researchers

Rachael Collett
Dr. Lisa Edwards
David Froiland
Dr. Karen Kind
Dr. Jeremy Thompson

PhD and Honours Students

Specific areas of interest are:

• The role of REDOX activated transcription factors, such as hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) and nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB) in mediating genetic and other biochemical responses in oocytes and early embryos to stressors known to influence intracellular REDOX state, such as O₂ concentration and glutathione depletion.
• The role of hypoxic oxygen concentration in regulating follicular, early embryo and implantation events.
• The influence of exogenous gonadotrophin stimulation of ovarian function on subsequent embryo and fetal development.
• In conjunction with Cook Australia, one of the world's foremost suppliers of culture media and disposables used in infertility treatments, we are developing novel culture systems and culture media, based on our investigations on the metabolic requirements for oocyte and embryo development.

A variety of techniques are utilized, in particular, real-time quantitative PCR analysis of gene expression, microscopic fluorometric quantification of metabolites and other cellular functions, immunohistochemistry and other histochemical techniques for analysing embryo quality.

We also collaborate with a number of other local, national and international laboratories in areas of oocyte development, embryo development, early implantation and fetal development.

The transfer of research outcomes to clinical and industry application is also an important area of development. Improvement in clinical infertility treatment or acceleration of superior genetic traits within industries such as dairy, meat and wool are important outcomes for our work.  We work very closely with the Clinical Embryology Laboratory associated with Repromed in Adelaide.