P.hd in Gamete Immunobiology

P.hd in Gamete Immunobiology

The department is pursuing research on i) identification of sperm proteins and their precise role in fertility regulation and ii) pathophysiology of human autoimmune premature ovarian failure (POF) and endometriosis.

In the area of male contraception, neonatal tolerization and proteomics approaches have been employed to identify and characterize epididymis-specific sperm proteins of significance in fertility. Sperm phosphoproteins relevant to motility are also being investigated by the DIGE approach.

To understand the mechanism of disease development in POF, several ovarian auto-antigens have been identified and characterized which could be useful for diagnostics. We have undertaken studies to identify specific proteins being targeted by the auto-antibodies during development of endometriosis.