Cellular mechanism of embryonic development and dormancy

Implantation of the early embryo into the uterine wall is a key step in the mammalian reproductive cycle. This critical process mediates the connection between the embryo and the mother during the early stages of pregnancy. As the uterine tissues conceal the implanting embryo, the cellular interactions at the embryo-maternal interface are inaccessible for direct analysis and therefore poorly understood. Moreover, some mammalian species can 'pause' the development of their embryos just before implantation. These embryos enter a reversible state of dormancy (diapause) for extended periods, delaying the time of birth. How the dormant embryos remain in suspended animation without compromising their developmental potential is still obscure. Using the mouse as a model system, our lab aims to decipher the cellular mechanisms of embryonic development and dormancy and the dynamic crosstalk between the implanting embryo and the mother.