New thesis uncovers how two genes control early ovarian development

What is the main focus of your thesis?

The thesis focuses on modelling the development of the ovaries using stem cells. More specifically, I focused on the elucidating the functions of two genes, NR5A1 and FOXL2, that are very important in the normal development of the ovaries during the first six weeks after fertilization. 

Which are the most important results?

It was found that the gene NR5A1 has a different function in ovaries than in testes. In ovaries it seems necessary but not sufficient to steer the maturation of the somatic cells (all cells except for sperm cells or egg cells) of the ovary, whilst in testes it is both necessary and sufficient. FOXL2 was always considered a marker in the early development of the ovaries, however we found that it drives the formation of the precursor cells of the mature somatic cells of the ovary. 

How can this new knowledge contribute to the improvement of people’s health?

The normal development of the ovaries is not yet completely understood. As these two genes are important for the normal development of the ovaries, our results will help in our understanding of this process. This in turn could help with our understanding of why ovarian development sometimes goes wrong. The results of this thesis therefore could aid in finding better therapies for patients that struggle with ovarian disorders which can lead to infertility. 

What are your future ambitions? 

I would like to continue my career in science and increase my knowledge and expertise of stem cell biology in other research areas than human reproduction as well.   

Dissertation

Friday, 15 August at 11:00, DNA in Neo, Blickagången 16, Flemingsberg.

Thesis

Modelling Ovarian Development Using Human Pluripotent Stem Cells