Human male germ cell development in vivo and in vitro

• Applicant: Privatdozent Dr. Jan-Bernd Stukenborg
• Subject Area: Reproductive Medicine, Urology
• Term: from 2010 to 2013
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 169742733

The aim of this project is to define mechanisms involved in postnatal human male germ cell development and to apply a three-dimensional culture system to explore human male germ cell differentiation in vitro. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and testicular germ cells will be used with the ultimate goal to establish an in vitro model for human spermatogenesis. Because of lacking experimental models, cellular and molecular mechanisms of early germ cell development in the human testis are poorly understood. Novel approaches are needed to study spermatogenic failures and to provide a clinical perspective to generate mature spermatozoa as a potential fertility preservation for prepubertal cancer patients, who often suffer late adverse effects of oncological treatments, including sub- or infertility. Therefore, this study focuses on the early male germ cell development by characterization of testicular biopsies from prepubertal boys and on the modification of a novel three-dimensional culture system to investigate early processes of cellular and molecular mechanism for human male germ cells in vitro by the use of testicular germ cells from prepubertal boys, hiPSCs and hESCs. The combination of human male germ cell, hESC and hiPSC cultures will lead to a better knowledge of physiological functions. This may help to establish strategies for the in vitro culture of human testicular germ cells for fertility preservation in prepubertal boys suffering side-effects of oncological treatments.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: Sweden
• Host: Professor Dr. Olle Söder