Mechanobiology of mammalian germ cell development

D'Arcy Thompson predicted in 1942 that mechanical cues play a powerful role in organ growth. With this project, I will explore how this principle applies to gamete development, focusing on the brief window when mammalian germ cells commit to a sperm or egg fate. Notably, this choice is not dictated by the sex of these curious bi-potential precursors, but by the sex of the surrounding gonadal tissue. Future sperm are packed into dense tube structures, while their female counterparts remain loosely dispersed within the gonad. My project will explore how differences in physical forces created by these distinct architectures contribute to male versus female gametogenesis. I will develop an organ-on-a-chip approach - informed by cutting-edge biophysical measurements - to shed light on this exciting stage of mammalian development, which also has the potential to expand our broader understanding of stem cell biology and provide new avenues to tackle infertility.