PhD Student (gn*) Testicular Extracellular Matrix

Developing a gel-based cell culture system to grow and differentiate Sertoli cells. Production of a recombinant integrin binding-competent laminin fragment that mimics basement membrane properties after its immobilisation to the cell culture gel system. Establishing Sertoli cell lines expressing N-cadherin mutants to study cell-cell interactions. Characterizing the differentiation state of Sertoli cells by collecting data from e.g. flow cytometry, video and fluorescence microscopy, immunoblotting, and transcriptome analysis. Analysing the cell biological, protein-chemical and molecular biological data on the Sertoli cells, also in co-culture with other testicular cell types. Collaborating with Prof. Dr. Stefan Schlatt's group (Center for Reproduction Medicine and Andrology) and other PIs of the CRC°1748. Participating in the Integrated Research Training Group 'Reproduction.MS PhD-Training Centre in Translational Science'. Part of Research Innovation