The importance of the blood-testis barrier in human infertility [ 2017 - ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Dr Peter Stanton (Principal investigator) ,  A/Pr Craig Harrison ,  A/Pr Mark Hedger ,  Prof Robert McLachlan

Brief description The blood-testis barrier (BTB) shields developing sperm from the circulation and immune system, which would see them as ‘foreign’. Loss of BTB function leads directly to infertility. Curiously, how the BTB ‘opens’ and ‘closes’ to allow entry without causing a ‘leak’ is unknown. We believe that activin A is the main gatekeeper, but this growth factor is also important in inflammation. Our goals are to show how activin A allows sperm cells entry, and how inflammatory diseases impact the BTB.

Funding Amount $560,953.00

Funding Scheme Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant