B.Sc. in Veterinary Biotechnology at the University of Milan (UNIMI).
The project’s main aim is to decipher the role of the maternal microenvironment in early mammalian embryogenesis.
Early embryonic development centers around the process of cell division and cell differentiation, and the embryo-mother crosstalk is crucial for mammalian development. Direct contact between them occurs in the uterus at implantation. At the same time, at earlier stages, they communicate using paracrine factors in the maternal oviduct, which supports early embryo development by modifying the oviductal microenvironment. However, verylittle is known about the interspecific contribution of the maternal tissue on the signaling pathways controlling early development before implantation, especially in large mammals. One of the main limitations in the advancement in this research field was the lack of appropriate molecular tools that can be applied in vitro and in ex vivo experiments.
Nevertheless, new technologies combined with in vivo imaging techniques are becoming available in model organisms, which set the stage for advancing embryology in large animal species. The current project aims to reveal how the maternal microenvironment influences critical signaling pathways in the embryo using advanced in vivo imaging techniques. Specifically, the study will focus on the specific interplay between Ca2+ waves and ROS in the developing embryo as well as on the specific contribution of the maternal tissue to Ca2+ waves and ROS state during preimplantation development. The hypothesis that the maternal microenvironment affects the embryo’s oxidative state/Ca oscillation will be tested in the bovine model using a combination of molecular tools and live imaging techniques. The results will be crucial for the advancement of the basic mechanisms controlling embryogenesis as well as for the improvement of assisted reproductive technologies. The study will be conducted at the Reproductive and Developmental Biology (ReDBioLab ) of the Department of Veterinary and Animal Science (DIVAS) of the University of Milan (UNIMI).
M. Sc. Human Assisted Reproductive Technologies: Pompeu Fabra University (Spain).
M. Sc. Human Genetics: Sri Ramachandra University (India).
B: Sc. Genetics: Bangalore University (India).
Senior Clinical embryologist at Miracle Advanced. Reproductive Centre Chennai, India.
IVF Lab Manager: Nova Fertility UK, Ummukaltum Fertility Centre, Gargaar Hospital, Hargeisa, Somaliland.
Consultant embryologist at Sridhar Fertility Centre, Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, India.
Research interest: Human and animal embryology; Reproductive and developmental biology; Assisted Reproductive technologies.
Previous research experience includes: – derivation of uterine Natural Killer cells from peripheral blood; – Gene Polymorphism and Ovarian Cancer Risk; – Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) variant in ovarian cancer.
Participated in several courses, conferences, and industrial visits focused on Human and Animal Assisted Reproductive Technology and stem cell biology.
Teaching experience at the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, and within the IVF laboratory to young students.
Publications: Orcid ; Scopus ; IRIS-AIR
Supervisor Prof. Valentina Lodde
