David F. Albertini, Ph.D.

How maternal health status impacts on the quality of oocytes and embryos is the main theme of research in the laboratory. We employ a variety of molecular genetic and cellular physiological approaches to characterize communication pathways between the female germ line and somatic cells within the ovary and reproductive tract. Defining the physiological signaling mechanisms that guarantee gamete and embryonic developmental competence underscores research aimed uncovering the causes of infertility in aging females, tracing the origins of embryonic stem cells, and developing new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of ovarian cancer.