DFG-GRK 1871
International Research Training Group (IRTG) „Molecular Pathogenesis of Male Reproductive Disorders“ (DFG-GRK 1871) 2017-2022
Link https://www.uni-giessen.de/fbz/fb11/institute/anatomie/forschung/ag-reproduktion/irtg
Project 1 Sperm morphology and motility in mice and men: Investigations of defective male germ cell differentiation
Short description: During the latter half of spermatogenesis, haploid germ cells are transformed from a round cell into the highly polarized sperm cell, with the ability for both motility and fertilization. Defects in the processes underpinning this transformation are the cause of asthenoteratozoospermia (abnormal head shape and poor motility in sperm) in humans, however the mechanisms are largely unknown. Within this project we will elucidate several key pathways involved in sperm shaping and functional competence and test their relevance to human male infertility.
Principal investigator JLU: PD Dr. Daniela Fietz
Principal investigator MU: Prof. Dr. Moira O’Bryan
Project 2 Human testis cancer and spermatogenesis control by immune cells
Short description: To delineate the nature and mechanisms of the immune-germ cell dialogue in the testis under healthy and pathological conditions. Functional characterization of infiltrating immune cells will help decipher facets of immune editing during testis cancer development.
Principal investigator JLU: PD Dr. Daniela Fietz, Prof. Dr. Hans-Christian Schuppe
Principal investigator MU: Prof. Dr. Kate Loveland, Prof. Dr. Mark Hedger
Project 4 Proteomics in seminal plasma and testicular interstitial fluid as predictor of successful sperm retrieval in infertile azoospermic men
Short description: i) To identify differentially-expressed protein biomarkers indicative of spermatogenic status in men, using testicular interstitial fluid (TIF) and seminal plasma (SP) samples from fertile men (only SP), infertile men with intact spermatogenesis (obstructive azoospermia, OA) and infertile men due to spermatogenic defects (non-obstructive azoospermia, NOA) undergoing TESE/M-TESE ((Microscopic) - TEsticular Sperm Extraction,
ii) to identify which of these testis-specific proteins in plasma or seminal plasma can be used as a new powerful diagnostic predictors for TESE/M-TESE success prior to surgery.
Principal investigator JLU: PD Dr. Thorsten Diemer, PD Dr. Daniela Fietz, PD Dr. Adrian Pilatz
Principal investigator MU: Prof. Dr. Peter Stanton, Prof. Dr. Liza O’Donnell