The Laboratory of DNA Integrity focuses on unravelling the mechanisms
that lead to DNA damage
and its subsequent repair in mammalian eggs and embryos.
Understanding these mechanisms is of paramount importance
since damaged DNA can cause damage to the egg or embryo
and eventually lead to infertility, unless it gets repaired.
We use a mouse model whose eggs are similar enough to human eggs
and which we can easily breed and work with.
We usually examine the eggs using fluorescence methods
to visualise what is happening in the cell.
One such method is our unique SPIM microscope,
which is specifically designed for long-term observations lasting up to 5 days.
This is the time it takes for a fertilised eggs to develop into a so-called blastocyst,
which then embeds itself into the mother’s uterus, under normal circumstances.
We cooperate with distinguished foreign laboratories in Europe, USA as well as Japan.
Thanks to these collaborations we have made several significant discoveries
that have been published in prestigious journals.
One of them is the discovery of the role of CHK1 enzyme in early embryos.
This enzyme belongs to the so-called cellular gatekeepers
that recognise DNA damage.
In response to a detected DNA damage, it takes care of its repair.
We have been able to publish the result of this study
in the most prestigious journal Nature.
Another significant discovery of ours is that we have found
that the chromosomes in the egg regulate their own division.
We have also revealed how smart the egg actually is and how it can properly divide
on its own even if some of its important genes are not working.
We enjoy our work because it entails acquiring new knowledge and exciting findings
that can ultimately help people live better lives.