Dorsch working group
The focus of the WG "Experimental Reproductive Biology" is the preservation of experimental animal strains through the cryopreservation of gametes and embryos. In view of the exponentially increasing number of genetically modified mouse strains, cryopreservation offers the possibility of long-term preservation of strains that are currently not required for scientific purposes. Cryopreservation itself is only the last step in a series of reproductive biology techniques.
The working group also deals with associated methods such as superovulation, embryo transfer, in vitro fertilization and ovarian transplantation.
(PD Dr. rer. nat. Martina Dorsch, head of the working group)
Cryopreservation
The cryopreservation of embryos is time-consuming, especially if hormonal superovulation is difficult depending on the strain or species. In order to keep the number of animals as low as possible, the working group is working on optimizing cryopreservation.
Sperm freezing offers a faster solution, but revitalization is considerably more complicated. Due to the still unsatisfactory results in other laboratories, there is still a considerable need for research in this area.
Another alternative to gamete preservation is the cryopreservation of ovaries; here, too, there is a great need for research to optimize transplantation to immunodeficient recipient animals.
Research is also being carried out into the cryopreservation of other laboratory animals such as guinea pigs.
Hormonal treatment
Essential for successful work with assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are the optimization of superovulation, synchronization of the oestrus cycle, improvement of sperm production and much more.
Genetically modified animal models
One basis of research is the generation of genetically modified animal models. The working group deals with the generation of genetically modified laboratory rodents by means of cytoplasmic microinjection using CRISPR CAS and transposon-based constructs. In addition, the fusion of blastocysts with stem cells to generate chimeras is carried out.
- Complete list of publications as pdf
- Selected publications
Originals
Jonigk D, Al-Omari M, Maegel L, Müller M, Izykowski N, Hong J, Hong K, Kim SH, Dorsch M, Mahadeva R, Laenger F, Kreipe H, Braun A, Shahaf G, Lewis EC, Welte T, Dinarello CA, Janciauskiene S.
Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of α1-antitrypsin without inhibition of elastase.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013 Aug 23.
Behrens W, Schweinitzer T, Bal J, Dorsch M, Bleich A, Kops F, Brenneke B, Didelot X, Suerbaum S, Josenhans C.
Role of energy sensor TlpD of Helicobacter pylori in gerbil colonization and genome analyses after adaptation in the gerbil.
Infect Immun. 2013 Jul 8.
Glage S, Wittur I, Elfers C, Hedrich HJ, Dorsch M.
Treatment of male mice with gonadotropins to improve the fertilization rate and reproduction.
Lab Anim. 2013 Jan;47(1):26-30