1 00:00:18,480 --> 00:00:23,320 The Laboratory of DNA Integrity focuses on unravelling the mechanisms 2 00:00:23,320 --> 00:00:25,760 that lead to DNA damage 3 00:00:25,760 --> 00:00:29,519 and its subsequent repair in mammalian eggs and embryos. 4 00:00:30,559 --> 00:00:34,200 Understanding these mechanisms is of paramount importance 5 00:00:34,200 --> 00:00:37,039 since damaged DNA can cause damage to the egg or embryo 6 00:00:37,039 --> 00:00:41,520 and eventually lead to infertility, unless it gets repaired. 7 00:00:45,679 --> 00:00:50,039 We use a mouse model whose eggs are similar enough to human eggs 8 00:00:50,039 --> 00:00:53,520 and which we can easily breed and work with. 9 00:00:54,200 --> 00:00:57,880 We usually examine the eggs using fluorescence methods 10 00:00:57,880 --> 00:01:00,759 to visualise what is happening in the cell. 11 00:01:01,359 --> 00:01:05,560 One such method is our unique SPIM microscope, 12 00:01:05,560 --> 00:01:10,280 which is specifically designed for long-term observations lasting up to 5 days. 13 00:01:10,560 --> 00:01:15,200 This is the time it takes for a fertilised eggs to develop into a so-called blastocyst, 14 00:01:15,200 --> 00:01:19,879 which then embeds itself into the mother’s uterus, under normal circumstances. 15 00:01:21,599 --> 00:01:26,879 We cooperate with distinguished foreign laboratories in Europe, USA as well as Japan. 16 00:01:27,480 --> 00:01:30,480 Thanks to these collaborations we have made several significant discoveries 17 00:01:30,480 --> 00:01:33,319 that have been published in prestigious journals. 18 00:01:35,040 --> 00:01:39,480 One of them is the discovery of the role of CHK1 enzyme in early embryos. 19 00:01:39,480 --> 00:01:43,239 This enzyme belongs to the so-called cellular gatekeepers 20 00:01:43,239 --> 00:01:47,640 that recognise DNA damage. 21 00:01:48,040 --> 00:01:52,000 In response to a detected DNA damage, it takes care of its repair. 22 00:01:52,359 --> 00:01:55,159 We have been able to publish the result of this study 23 00:01:55,159 --> 00:01:57,680 in the most prestigious journal Nature. 24 00:01:59,879 --> 00:02:01,920 Another significant discovery of ours is that we have found 25 00:02:01,920 --> 00:02:06,159 that the chromosomes in the egg regulate their own division. 26 00:02:06,480 --> 00:02:11,039 We have also revealed how smart the egg actually is and how it can properly divide 27 00:02:11,039 --> 00:02:13,919 on its own even if some of its important genes are not working. 28 00:02:14,639 --> 00:02:19,719 We enjoy our work because it entails acquiring new knowledge and exciting findings 29 00:02:19,719 --> 00:02:24,360 that can ultimately help people live better lives.