Dr. Walfred TANG
The Wellcome Trust / Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute
University of Cambridge, UK

Date: Tue, 5-December-2017
Time: 11:00 AM
Venue: Seminar Room 7, LG1/F,
Laboratory Block, Faculty of Medicine Building
21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong

Summary:
Human primordial germ cells (hPGCs), the precursors of sperm and eggs, are segregated from somatic lineages during early embryonic development. Specification of hPGCs is a crucial first step for the continuation of the human life cycle. By studying in vivo hPGCs and developing in vitro models of hPGC specifications, we have identified the key transcription factors involved in human germline formation. In addition, we found that human PGCs undergo comprehensive epigenetic reprograming to erase somatic epigenetic memories and prepare for gametogenesis. These findings have wide-ranging implications for early cell fate decisions, reproductive technologies and germ cell cancers.

ALL ARE WELCOME