Retrospective model for search and identification of imprint

Immediately after birth, female mammals possess around 1 milion of gamete cells (oocyte). However, less than 1% of this pool will become a fertilizable oocyte. Part of this occurs due to a natural process of selection during development. During the oocyte’s growth phase, they must undergo a process of cytoplasmic maturation, where they accumulate proteins, metabolites and RNAs essential to support embryonic development. They also need to undergo the so-called “nuclear or epigenetic maturation”, where the chromosomes condense, segregate and reprogram/acquire the epigenetic marks. In this point, the oocyte’s DNA is correctly marked with DNA methylation and histone modifications. One of the most studied imprinted genes, the IGF2R, is controlled by elements sensitive to chromatin methylation and is expressed when the ICR (imprinting control region) region is methylated in the maternal allele. To achieve this goal, we propose to compare the methylation patterns between the first polar body and their respective oocyte and the oocyte’s ability to develop parthenogenetically to the blastocyst stage in vitro.

Faculty Supervisor:

Lawrence Smith

Student:

Partner:

Universidade de São Paulo

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

Université de Montréal

Program: