Female fertility depends on a limited number of egg cells (called oocytes) that are already
present at birth and can remain in the ovaries for decades. Over time, however, the quality of
these cells declines, making it harder to become pregnant and increasing the risk of genetic
problems in children. Scientists still do not fully understand how these cells stay healthy for so
long, which makes it difficult to develop ways to protect female fertility as women age.
Interestingly, studies in yeast a simple single-celled organism have shown that certain
enzymes involved in metabolism can form long-lasting structures that help the cells survive
extended periods of dormancy. These enzyme polymers act like storage units, allowing the
yeast to restart its life cycle when conditions improve. Because the basic building blocks of
metabolism are shared across many species, we believe that a similar system might exist in
mammals, including humans.
In this project, we aim to find out whether such enzyme polymers are also present in
mammalian egg cells. To do this, we will use advanced imaging techniques to study mouse
egg cells and see whether key metabolic enzymes form these structures. We will then test
whether the polymers are important for keeping the cells healthy by blocking their formation
and examining the consequences.
If our research confirms that enzyme polymerization helps maintain egg cell quality, it could
open the door to new strategies for preserving female fertility. The findings may also be
relevant to other areas of biology, such as stem cell and cancer research, where cells must
also remain functional during long periods of dormancy.