Centre of Biosciences SAS
Topic
Molecular mechanisms of early embryo cell responses to the factors of environment
PhD. program
Zoology and Animal Physiology
Year of admission
2025
Name of the supervisor
RNDr. Štefan Čikoš, DrSc.
Contact:
Receiving school
Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice
Annotation
The mammalian preimplantation embryo (i.e. the embryo in the period from oocyte fertilization to implantation of blastocyst into uterus) can finish its development to the blastocyst stage relatively autonomously and in in vitro conditions in relatively simple culture media. On the other hand, recent data indicate that disturbed maternal environment significantly affects developmental potential of oocytes, quality of pre-implantation embryos, success of implantation and can be the cause of unsuccessful pregnancies in both humans and animals. Moreover, in line with the DOHaD (Developmental Origin Health and Diseases) hypothesis, impairment of early embryonic development can also have long term consequences for health in adulthood. The research will mainly focus on the role of low molecular weight ligands and their receptors. The experiments will mostly use a mouse model (in vivo as well as in vitro approaches, including mouse embryonic stem cells). Modern biochemical methods, molecular biology techniques as well as morphological methods will be used to analyze cell receptors, activated signaling pathways and physiological responses of early embryo cells.