primordial germ cells, germ cell tumors and early lineage specification

in Bonn

The groups current focus is on the genetics and epigenetics controlling the specification and maintenance of germ cells and their tumors. Further, we are interested in the biology of the extraembryonic compartment namley the trophectoderm, i.e. the cells which generate the placenta. The genetic factors and epigenetic marks of trophectoderm and the trophoblast stem cells are subject of investigation. A general topic connecting both fields is the question how both populations control the genes of the pluripotency cluster and avoid the activation of the somatic differentiation programme.
http://www.meb.uni-bonn.de/devpatho/

Technologies

Derivation and culture of murine ES cells. Generation of transgenic and knockout mice. Generation and culture of murine trophoblast stem cells. Expertise in various germ cell tumor cell lines. Bisulphite sequencing, epigenetic drugs.

Publications

The role of transcription factor Tcfap2c/TFAP2C in trophectoderm development.
Kuckenberg P, Kubaczka C, Schorle H.
Reprod Biomed Online. 2012 Jul;25(1):12-20. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2012.02.015.

Establishment of a versatile seminoma model indicates cellular plasticity of germ cell tumor cells.
Nettersheim D, Westernströer B, Haas N, Leinhaas A, Brüstle O, Schlatt S, Schorle H.
Genes Chromosomes Cancer. 2012 Jul;51(7):717-26. doi: 10.1002/gcc.21958.

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Contact

Prof. Dr. Hubert Schorle
Department of Developmental Pathology
Institute of Pathology
Bonn Medical School
Sigmund Freud Strasse 25
53127 Bonn

Phone: +49 228 287 16342
Fax: +49 228 28719757

Email: