Project (Ufuk Günesdogan)
Transcriptional control and epigenetic programming during primate primordial germ cell development
Mammalian primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the embryonic precursors of gametes and are essential for the transmission of genetic and epigenetic information across generations. These cells are specified early in development through a highly regulated process involving key signalling pathways and transcriptional networks. After specification, PGCs migrate to the developing gonads, where they proliferate and differentiate into either oocytes or spermatogonia. Disruptions in PGC development can lead to various fertility disorders and germline-related diseases.
We are studying the specification and differentiation of PGCs from non-human primate or human pluripotent stem cells to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying this process. In particular, we are interested in the control of the PGC-specific transcriptional programme by non-coding regulatory DNA elements and epigenetic programming by combining functional experiments (e.g. CRISPR-Cas9) with genome-wide approaches (e.g. CUT&Tag, Hi-C). We invite applications from candidates with a background in developmental biology, epigenetics and/or stem cells coupled with a strong interest in computational approaches.
Homepage Research Group
https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/570660.html
Publications:
Kurlovich J, Rodriguez Polo I, Dovgusha O, Tereshchenko Y, Cruz CRV, Behr R, Günesdogan U. Generation of marmoset primordial germ cell-like cells from induced pluripotent stem cells under chemically defined conditions. Life Science Alliance, 2024, 7. DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302371
Mühlen D, Li X, Dovgusha O, Jäckle H, Günesdogan U. Recycling of parental histones preserves the epigenetic landscape during embryonic development. Science Advances 2023, 9, eadd6440. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add6440
Gruhn WH, Günesdogan U, Generation of Primordial Germ Cell-like Cells on Small and Large Scales. Methods Mol Biol. 2021, 2214:75-89. DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0958-3_6
Hackett JA*, Huang Y*, Günesdogan U*, Kristjan Holm-Gretarsson, Toshihiro Kobayashi & Surani MA. Tracing the Transitions from Pluripotency to Germ Cell Fate with CRISPR Screening. Nature communications 2018, 9, 4292. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06230-0
Murakami K*, Günesdogan U*, Zylicz JJ, Tang W, Sengupta R, Kobayashi T, Kim S, Butler R, Dietmann S, Surani MA. NANOG alone induces germ cells in primed epiblast in vitro by activation of enhancers. Nature 2016, 529, 403-407. DOI: 10.1038/nature16480