Human testis organoids - a novel stem cell model for reproductive disorders
- Research Opportunity
- Honours students, Master of Biomedical Science
- Number of Honour Places Available
- 1
- Number of Master Places Available
- 1
- Department / Centre
- Paediatrics
- Location
- Royal Children’s Hospital/Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
Primary Supervisor | Number | Webpage | |
---|---|---|---|
Dr Katie Ayers | katie.ayers@mcri.edu.au | 399366584 | Personal web page |
Co-supervisor | Number | Webpage | |
---|---|---|---|
Professor Andrew Sinclair | andrew.sinclair@mcri.edu.au | 83416425 | Personal web page |
Summary This project involves optimising the differentiation of human testicular cells from pluripotent stem cells, and growing these to organoid formation. These organoids will then be used to test the importance of new candidate pathogenic gene variants found in DSD patients.
Project Details
Often the first question asked when a child is born is "is it a boy or a girl". Unfortunately, a definitive answer cannot be given to the parents of a child born with severe ambiguous genitalia. These cases occur with a frequency of 1 in 4500 births and are part of a large spectrum of disorders known as Disorders/Differences of Sex Development (DSD), which are caused by mutations in the genes that regulate how the testis or ovaries develop and function. Yet, less than 50% of patients with DSD currently receive a clinical genetic diagnosis. This is due to a very poor understanding of the genes that can cause DSDs. We use genomic technologies such as Whole Exome Sequencing to find novel candidate genes that may cause DSDs. We currently test the importance of these gene in the developing gonads (testis or ovaries) using animal models such as mice. However, mouse gonadal development is not always a good model for human gonadal development and disease. Consequently, we are developing stem cell technology to grow human testicular cells in a dish. This project involves optimising the differentiation of human testicular cells from pluripotent stem cells, and growing these to organoid formation. These organoids will then be used to test the importance of new candidate pathogenic gene variants found in DSD patients. This project will be conducted in collaboration with Professor Melissa Little, who has successfully grown human kidney organoids, and used these to model kidney disease. It will suit someone who has an interest in working with cutting edge stem cell technology to study human disorders.
Faculty Research Themes
School Research Themes
Research Opportunities
Honours students, Master of Biomedical Science
Students who are interested in joining this project will need to consider their elegibility as well as other requirements before contacting the supervisor of this research
Key Contact
For further information about this research, please contact a supervisor.
Department / Centre
Research Node
Royal Children’s Hospital/Murdoch Childrens Research InstituteMDHS Research library
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