Deputy Director: Professor A O Trounson
Associate Director: Associate Professor A M Walker
Address: Institute of Reproduction and Development, block E, levels 3 and 5, Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, 3168
* Testicular physiology Physiology of inhibin, activin and follistatin in relation to their control of FSH and their potential actions as paracrine regulators within the testis. The role of inhibin and activin in the control of the fetal pituitary-gonadal axis and their sites of production within the foetus. Hormonal control of spermatogenesis with particular reference to the sites of action of FSH and testosterone and the manner in which these hormones control Sertoli cell function. Factors controlling the division of Sertoli cells in the developing testis. The role of growth factors and their receptors in spermatogenesis. The role of microtubule associated proteins in spermatogenesis. Development of the outer dense fibres and fibrous sheath of spermatozoa. Immunological aspects of male reproduction including the role of cytokines and growth factor in the modulation of the immune status of the testis.
* Cellular communications Cell-cell interactions in the testis. Non-gonadotrophic control of Leydig cell functions. Origin and development of Leydig cells from stem cell precursors. Growth factor and regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal cell interactions in the testis and prostate gland.
* Endometrial physiology and angiogenesis Research areas currently investigated include the following. Angiogenesis (human and animal models, endometrial and ovarian). Menorrhagia (dysfunctional and perimenopausal - investigations include evaluations of new clinical treatment methods and of patient satisfaction with outcome). Embryo implantation (human IVF related studies and animal models). Basic aspects of menstruation (including studies on cell-cell and cell-substrate adhesion molecules). Contraception (the effects of longterm progestin-only contraceptives on endometrial function and bleeding patterns). Endometriosis (clinically related studies on different aspects of the biology of endometriotic implants). Ovarian cancer, control of new blood vessel growth and relevance to clinical outcome.
* Embryology and fertility In vitro fertilisation and embryo development. Embryo nutrition, metabolism and viability. Mammalian oocyte and embryo cryopreservation. Cryopreservation of tissues for transplantation. Genes and proteins involved in sperm maturation and fertilisation. The ultrastructure of gametes, fertilisation and mammalian development. Capacitation and the acrosome reaction in human sperm. Fertilisation by gamete micromanipulation techniques. Biopsy of embryos for diagnosis of chromosomal and genetic errors. Oocyte maturation and the aetiology of polycystic ovarian syndrome. The production and use of embryonic stem cells. Gene expression in early embryogenesis.
* Developmental biology Role of the extracellular matrix in embryogenesis. Cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in specification of cell types in the developing brain. Genetic and biochemical basis for embryo losses at implantation. Analysis of fetal growth retardation in mice. Analysis of molecular aspects of genomic imprinting in androgenetic and parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells.
* Molecular embryology and birth defects Molecular biology of Down syndrome. Molecular biology of aging and cellular senescence. Molecular biology of cancer. Genes regulation and function during differentiation and development. The ETS family of transcription factors - functional analysis. The role of antioxidant genes in cellular processes. The role of SODI gene in aging and Down syndromes. Transcription factors and their role in development and disease. The interferon a receptor gene - its biological function and role in disease. Transcription factors in spermatogenesis. Gene regulation. Use of transgenic mice for animal models of human disease. Embryonic stem cells and homologous recombination for evaluating the biological role of specific genes.
* Fetal physiology Initiation and control of ventilation in the newborn lamb. Metabolic cost of breathing in the fetus and the newborn. Influence of caesarean section on the establishment of breathing at birth. Development of the respiratory system in the fetus from very early in gestation. Structure of respiratory areas in the hindbrain. Metabolic properties of respiratory muscles and heart.
* Neonatal physiology Development of the fetal heart and circulation from mid-gestation. Development, physiology and pharmacology of the cerebral circulation. Circulatory adaptation at birth. Cardiac structure and function after preterm birth. Thermal and cardio-respiratory physiology in sleep in infants - understanding the mechanism of Sudden Infant Death.
* Animal reproduction Cattle embryo nuclear transfer biotechnology, oocyte maturation, in vitro fertilization, embryo culture gamete micromanipulation, cell fusion, embryonic stem cells and transgenesis. Sheep and goat lactation and artificial breeding. Horse reproductive research. Semen freezing in the Australian working dog and selection of performance. Camel and deer embryo transfer. Conservation of captive and wild animal species. Control of feral animal breeding.