Research on oocyte and embryo development
A multicellular organism begins with a single cell, fertilized egg. In other words, eggs possess almost all factors and mechanisms essential for promoting development. Our aim is to understand molecular factors and mechanisms that start and promote development using multiple approchi including genetics, cellular and molecular biology, and biochemistry.
Figure 1. Oocyte and embryo development
Regulation of maternal factors
Maternal factors in eggs are activated at appropriate sites and timings after fetilization to promote development. However, the molecular mechanisms by which where and when the maternal factors are activated remain to be resolved. We research the molecular mechanisms regulating the activation of maternal factors mainly by focusing the translational regulation of mRNAs that are accumulated in eggs as translationally repressed forms.
Figure 2. Distribution of cyclin B1 mRNA in zebrafish and mouse oocytes