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University of Bedfordshire
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To apply for a research degree, please make sure you fulfill the entry requirements and then complete the online research degree application form and upload your supporting documents.
You should have a good honours degree (2:1 or above) or masters degree or equivalent in the relevant subject area.
International applicants should be aware of our research degree English language requirements
Impact of cryopreservation on mitochondrial function
Degree - MRes, MPhil, PhD
Cryopreservation of sperm and embryos is carried out routinely in IVF clinics with no apparent detriment to the resulting offspring and there is increasing interest in the production of embryos from oocytes that have been cryopreserved. However, despite survival of these cells, little is known about the potential effects of cryopreservation at the molecular level. The mitochondrial complement of the oocyte/ embryo is a potential target of cryo-injury and is of particular interest as the impact of mitochondrial damage, is often not manifested until later in life. Using zebrafish as a vertebrate model organism, our recent work has produced direct evidence of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage in cryopreserved embryonic blastomeres and we have observed damage to mitochondria and reduced mtDNA levels in zebrafish ovarian follicles treated with cryoprotectants. Replication of mtDNA and therefore production of ATP is dependent on nuclear-encoded transcription and replication factors being translocated to the mitochondria and on adequate mitochondrial transport systems. This project will investigate the impact on these processes following exposure to various stages of the cryopreservation process and the subsequent impact on mitochondrial function. The data obtained will then be used to predict and test new cryopreservation protocols that minimise the impact on mitochondrial function.
For more details please contact Dr Emma Spikings: emma.spikings AT beds.ac.uk
