Female germ cells develop into future egg cells in the ovaries before birth. During this process, they undergo meiosis, a special form to divide cells, that depends on the synaptonemal complex, a structure the helps the chromosomes come and stay properly together. When this structure is not functioning correctly, egg cells may be lost or develop abnormally. Understanding these changes could explain some forms of infertility and support future diagnosis and treatment.
reNEW research
In the Chuva de Sousa Lopes Lab at reNEW Leiden, we study developing ovaries to understand how future egg cells develop before birth. We use donated tissue samples to investigate experimental changes in the synaptonemal complex, which is essential for viable future egg cells. Because these samples are rare, we are also developing stem-cell based models that mimic future egg cells. This approach could help us answer questions that are currently difficult to study.
Image description
Future egg cells showing the synaptonemal complex (yellow) and molecular factors influencing it (red, cyan).
Credits
Dr. Brigite Cabrita, Postdoctoral Researcher, Chuva de Sousa Lopes Lab, reNEW Leiden.
