Cancer treatments save lives, but some can unintentionally damage fertility, while their effects on the developing human reproductive system remain poorly understood. My research combines human stem cell-based models with fetal testis tissue to study how medicines and other compounds affect germ cells, the precursors of sperm and eggs. By identifying vulnerable cells and mechanisms of toxicity, this work aims to improve reproductive safety testing, support safer treatments, and help protect patients’ future fertility.
reNEW research
At LUMC Anatomy and Embryology, we combine human stem cell models with fetal tissue to study reproductive toxicity. I generate primordial germ cell-like cells from hiPSCs, expose them to compounds, and assess their effects. I then test whether these findings translate to human fetal testis tissue, where fluorescence microscopy reveals changes in germ cells and their supporting environment. Combining scalable models with complex human tissue can improve toxicity prediction and reduce reliance on animal testing.
Image description
Human fetal testis in 3D: DDX4/OCT4+ germ cells surrounded by supportive Sertoli cells.
Credits
Elpida Konidaris, PhD candidate, reNEW Leiden.
