Monika Ward Lab

Summary:

Assisted reproduction enables achieving fertilization when normal conception does not occur due to a variety of gamete defects. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is the injection of a single spermatozoon directly into the cytoplasm of an oocyte using an injection pipette. This technique has been applied successfully in the treatment of infertile couples and is now widely used as a method of human assisted reproduction (ART). In addition to its obvious role in overcoming the infertility, ICSI is also an excellent tool allowing exploring new venues of reproductive biology. It provides a unique opportunity to examine the mechanisms underlying male infertility by looking into the reproductive potentials of individual spermatozoa.

The primary research interest of the lab is to study sperm genetics and function in fertilization in the context of assisted reproduction, utilizing advanced techniques of gamete and embryo micromanipulation combined with cytogenetic and molecular biology techniques, in a mouse model. The overall goal is to explore how the 'genetic composition' of sperm translates on its function in fertilization.

The ongoing projects involve:

(1) Reproducing subfertile and infertile mice with phenotypes that mimic various human male infertility syndromes to test for ART effects;
(2) Studying sperm DNA damage, its origin and consequences for fertilization and embryo development;
(3) Examining the function of the Y chromosome encoded genes in male fertility.

Affiliations:

• Institute for Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine

People:

• PI: Ward, Monika, Ph.D.
  

Resources:

Instruments

• Acculab VIC-303 scale ( Balance )
  

• Apple laptop ( Computer )
  

• Beckman Coulter Microfuge 22R microcentrifuge ( Microcentrifuge )
  

• Cooler Master Centurion CAC-TO5 computer tower ( Computer )
  

• Dolan-Jenner 4715MS Fiber-Lite illuminator ( Light source )
  

• Eppendorf AG 5417R centrifuge ( Refrigerated centrifuge )
  

• Eppendorf AG 6325 thermal cycler ( Thermal cycler )
  

• Eppendorf AG Mastercycler Gradient ( PCR instrument )
  

• Fisher Scientific F-958 CO2 incubator ( CO2 incubator )
  

• Fisher Scientific Isotherm 2556 oven ( Forced convection oven )
  

• Heraeus CO2 incubator ( CO2 incubator )
  

• IECHN-SIL bench-top centrifuge ( Centrifuge )
  

• iMac 20-inch computer ( Computer )
  

• Intel Core 2Quad computer ( Computer )
  

• Leitz Laborlux 12 upright microscope ( Upright microscope )
  

• Micropipette puller ( Micropipette puller )
  

• MJ Mini thermal cycler ( Thermal cycler )
  

• Monitor for digital camera ( C-mount )
  

• Narishige microforge ( Microforge )
  

• Nikon M8 stereo microscope ( Stereo microscope )
  

• Nikon stereo microscope ( Stereo microscope )
  

• Olympus 1X70 inverted microscope ( Inverted microscope )
  

  The lab PI does not want to share this instrument at this time.

• Olympus 1X71 inverted microscope ( Inverted microscope )
  

  Lab has two of these instruments. PI does not want to share these instruments at this time.

• Olympus BX41 upright microscope ( Upright microscope )
  

• Olympus DP20-5E-2 digital camera ( Digital camera )
  

• Olympus SZX12 stereo microscope ( Stereo microscope )
  

  The PI has privacy concerns with regard to this instrument. Due to a specific set-up, this instrument cannot be shared at this time.

• Olympus SZX2-ZB16 stereo microscope ( Stereo microscope )
  

  The PI has privacy concerns with regard to this instrument. Due to a specific set-up, this instrument cannot be shared at this time.

• Olympus SZX9 stereo microscope ( Stereo microscope )
  

  The PI has privacy concerns with regard to this instrument. Due to a specific set-up, this instrument cannot be shared at this time.

• PCV-RX570 computer ( Computer )
  

• PMAS-CT150 piezo ( Inertial impact drill )
  

  The lab has three of these instruments. The PI has privacy concerns with regard to this instrument. Due to a specific set-up, this instrument cannot be shared at this time.

• Premier XH2002 slide warmer ( Slide warmer )
  

  Lab has two of these instruments.

• Sony DSC-F717 digital camera ( Digital camera )
  

• Sony laptop computer ( Computer )
  

• Thelco water bath ( Water bath )
  

• Thermo Fisher Scientific Dry bath incubator ( Incubator )
  

• Tissue prep flotation bath ( Water bath )
  

• Zeiss Axio Imager A1 upright microscope ( Upright microscope )
  

• Zeiss standard upright microscope ( Upright microscope )
  

• Zeiss upright microscope ( Upright microscope )
  

Protocols

• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection protocol ( Protocol )
  

  See lab for documentation file of this protocol.

Web Links:

• http://www2.jabsom.hawaii.edu/DRB/Research_MWard.html