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One goal of research in my lab is to uncover the mechanisms involved in sperm-egg fusion and the signaling that
initiates mammalian development. We are analyzing the mechanism of cell-cell membrane fusion and the signal transduction
pathway(s) activated by sperm-egg fusion in mice. We have identified a new gene family (ADAM family) of membrane proteins,
several of which are present on the sperm plasma membrane and apparently bind to integrins on eggs. The binding of ADAMs to
eggs promotes sperm-egg fusion and may be the signal that initiates embryonic development. To establish the importance of
these interactions we are making ADAM gene knockouts or over-expressing dominant negative ADAM constructs and dissecting
signaling events in the egg.
A second goal of research in the lab is to develop novel contraceptive methods based on new knowledge in the cell biology
of fertilization. The major focus is development of a birth control vaccine that induces an antibody response to sperm that
blocks fertilization. My research program involves a major collaboration with Professor Diana Myles in the Section for
Molecular and Cellular Biology.
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