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Therapeutic potential of TGF-beta proteins for the treatment of female infertility

Description 
The oocyte-secreted TGF-beta proteins, BMP15 and GDF9, are essential for the acquisition of oocyte developmental competence during folliculogenesis. We recently established that individual subunits of BMP15 and GDF9 can form a heterodimer with dramatically (>1000-fold) enhanced activity towards granulosa/cumulus cells. Our lab is one of only two in the world to have produced this new molecule, which we have called cumulin. We are currently studying cumulin physiology and examining its therapeutic potential to improve female infertility.
Essential criteria: 
Minimum entry requirements can be found here: https://www.monash.edu/admissions/entry-requirements/minimum
Keywords 
GDF9, BMP15, Cumulin, oocyte development, Department of Physiology
School 
Biomedicine Discovery Institute (School of Biomedical Sciences) » Physiology
Available options 
PhD/Doctorate
Honours
Time commitment 
Full-time
Top-up scholarship funding available 
No
Physical location 
Biomedicine Discovery Institute
Co-supervisors 
Dr 
Kelly Walton

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