The Functions of Small RNAs in Fertility, Inheritance, & Development
About Us
The Conine Lab investigates how RNAs present in sperm are capable of transmitting non-genetic information to their progeny to influence offspring phenotype. We utilize a combination of state-of-the-art genomics, molecular biology, and assisted reproduction techniques across multiple model systems including mice, embryonic stem cells, and C. elegans to understand these questions:
How do small RNAs regulate gene expression in the male germline to support spermatogenesis and fertility?
How are small RNAs packaged into mature sperm?
How are RNAs transmitted during fertilization able to regulate early embryonic gene expression and development?
How can this regulation alter developmental programs to produce a non-genetically inherited phenotype?