Current Research

Cattle embryology

On the one hand we are attempting to extend in vitro culture of cattle embryos thereby allowing us to examine and functionally manipulate stages that are presently very difficult to obtain. On the other hand, we are sharpening the molecular tools necessary to perform these functional manipulations – these include lentiviral delivery of DNA and the use of CRISPR to knock-out gene function. We have created transgenic cattle embryos to determine the role of extraembryonic tissue in shaping the embryo proper.

Mouse embryology

We are creating concentration dependent reporter constructs for visualising gradients of morphogens (signalling molecules) in multiple colours, in cells and transgenic mouse embryos. These will give us insight as to the mechanism of how signalling gradients are translated to create the bauplan of the embryo.