Facilitated By

San Antonio Medical Foundation

Localization of mammalian spermatogonial stem cells and their niche using spatial genomics

The University of Texas at San Antonio

The University of Texas at San Antonio is an emerging Tier One research institution with nearly 29,000 students.

Principal Investigator(s)
Hermann, Brian
Funded by
UTSA VPR Office
Research Start Date
Status
Active

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are required for sperm production and male fertility. but we do not yet understand how activity of these cells is regulated or even precisely where they reside in the seminiferous tubules of the testis. Our previous single-cell RNA-seq results have defined transcriptome signatures of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) that discriminate these cells from all other spermatogenic cell types in the adult mammalian testis. We hypothesize that spatial genomic detection of this SSC signature in tissue sections will reveal the location of mammalian SSCs. and by extension the SSC niche. which will allow us to determine mechanisms for regulatory modes of SSCs. This GREAT project will provide preliminary feasibility and biological data to support an NIH R01 proposal to study SSCs and their niche.

Collaborative Project
Basic Research
Genetics
Regenerative Medicine