Unresolved Questions Concerning Mammalian Sperm Acrosomal Exocytosis
Author Biosketches
Mariano G. Buffone
Current Position: Associate Researcher at Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), National Research Council of Argentina (CONICET).
Education: M.S. in Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina; Ph.D. in Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina; Postdoctoral Fellow, Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health, Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Research Interests: Our laboratory is interested in understanding the complex phenomenon of mammalian fertilization using biochemical, cellular, and molecular approaches. In particular, we are interested in a process that is very important for fertilization to occur: the sperm acrosomal exocytosis.
Outside Interests: Travelling, music, history, and geography.
Noritaka Hirohashi
Current Position: Associate Professor at Oki Marine Biological Station, Education and Research Center for Biological Resources, Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, Shimane University, Japan.
Education: D.Sc., Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan.
Research Interests: Mammalian reproduction, marine invertebrates, sperm evolution, evo-devo in Cephalopoda, glycobiology, live cell imaging.
George L. Gerton
Current Position: Research Professor of Reproductive Biology, Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health, Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Education: B.A. with Honors, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California; Ph.D., Biochemistry, University of California at Davis, Davis, California; Postdoctoral Fellow, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts; Research Associate in Anatomy and Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Research Interests: Our laboratory uses a multidisciplinary approach to examine issues pertaining to mammalian spermatogenesis, sperm function, fertilization, and preimplantation embryo development. Several of the major components of the acrosome and sperm tail have been purified and their primary structures determined for studies of protein structure and expression. The deduced amino acid sequences of these proteins have provided new clues concerning the functions of acrosomal and flagellar proteins. One major direction of the laboratory is to study acrosomal and flagellar protein targeting and function in spermatogenic cells using tools of molecular biology and cell biology and to extend these studies to cases of infertility in humans and other species. Recently, we have begun moving into the field of reproductive toxicology. This new direction includes studies of phthalate effects on the expression of the precursor of the granulin and epithelin peptides, progranulin (which we have shown is an essential growth factor for the development of mouse embryos to the blastocyst stage). In addition, we are performing studies to develop nanotechnology as a contraceptive approach in feral dogs and cats. Finally, we are collaborating with others in Penn's Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology to study the effects of natural gas extraction using horizontally drilled wells (hydraulic fracturing) on human and animal health in affected regions.
Outside Interests: Genealogy, early American and French-Canadian history, art, music, independent and foreign film.