Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Nina Neuhaus
Group Leader
Tel.: +49 (0)251 83 56094
E-Mail: Nina Neuhaus
ResearchGate

• About me

  In my research group, we focus on the cellular and molecular properties of human spermatogonial stem cells. I find these cells fascinating, as they are the basis for lifelong sperm formation and the basis for stem cell-based approaches of re-fertilization.
  In the basic research projects, we analyze the molecular properties of human spermatogonia and their heterogeneity. We analyze these cells during development and compare their characteristics in tissues with normal spermatogenesis to the impaired situation in infertility patients. Methodologically, we use high-resolution analysis methods (e.g. single cell RNA sequencing, imaging approaches).
  The focus in the translational projects is the fertility preservation for boys  (Androprotect). As part of the Germany-wide network Androprotect, pre-pubertal boys, who are at risk of fertility loss, can cryopreserve immature testicular tissue. One focus of the translational projects is to analyze the number of stem cells in the different patient groups and to investigate to what extent this number may be influenced by the respective underlying diseases and / or treatments. This information is essential as the protocols that are under development for the generation of sperm from these tissues are based on these spermatogonial stem cells.

Dr. Sara Di Persio
Scientist
Tel.: +49 (0)251 83 56099
E-Mail: Sara Di Persio
ResearchGate

• About me

  I’m a medical student and writing my medical doctoral thesis in this research group. In my project, I’m investigating how benign blood diseases such as sickle cell anemia or thalassemia and their treatment affect spermatogonial stem cells. Therefore, I’m looking at boys who have cryopreserved testicular tissue as fertility preservation before starting a gonadotoxic therapy. Since these spermatogonia are supposed to mature into sperm in the event of a future wish to father a child, it is important to know how underlying diseases and treatments affect the number and quality of spermatogonia.
  This project is a collaboration between the fertility preservation program of Germany (Androprotect) and the one of the Nordic countries (Nordfertil). I am very happy to be part of this international team.

• About me

  As a medical student, working on my doctoral thesis, I am interested in alterations of spermatogonia in tissues from patients with impaired and normal spermatogenesis. I mostly use the method of immunohistochemistry. By the application of markers for proliferation and apoptosis, I hope to better understand the mechanisms that are responsible for dysfunctional spermatogenesis. I take part in the MedK program of the medical faculty, which supports me in my project.

• About me

  I am a medical student and for my medical doctoral thesis I work with material of patients included in fertility preservation programs, focusing on their germ cell reserve. Those prepubertal boys are at a high risk of fertility loss due to their underlying condition or planned therapy. To be able to justify the cryopreservation of these patients testicular tissues for possible future fertility restoration and to council affected patients in the best possible way, it is important to have information about the number of germ cells present. Therefore I view patientˋs samples using different histological techniques and stainings. The results especially provide information on patients with rare genetic diseases. This project is a collaboration between the fertility preservation program of Germany (Androprotect) and the program of Nordic countries (Nordfertil).

Dr. med. Jann-Frederik Cremers
Assistant Medical Director
Specialist for urology, andrology and tumour therapy,
Fellow of the European Board of Urology (FEBU)
Clinician of the European Academy of Andrology (EAA)
Tel.: +49 (0)251 83 56095
E-Mail: Jann-Frederik Cremers
ResearchGate

• About me

  I am an urologist and andrologist and am a senior physician responsible for the surgical part of the Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology.
  In my office hours I see patients with different andrological problems. One focus here are fertility disorders, which can have very different causes. As the responsible surgeon, I perform operations such as microsurgical testicular sperm extraction (mTESE) on patients with azoospermia. These sperm can then be used in the frame of artificial reproductive treatments. Thanks to the mTESE, many couples have the chance to fulfill their wish for parenthood. Scientifically, I am working in close collaboration with PD. Dr. Neuhaus as I am interested in unveiling the underlying molecular mechanisms associated with impaired spermatogenesis, as this knowledge can perspectively help to improve the treatment of our patients.

Dr. med. Claudia Krallmann
Assistant Medical Director
Specialist for urology, andrology and general medicine
Tel.: +49 (0)251 83 56095
E-Mail: Claudia Krallmann

Juan Manuel Paturlanne
PhD Student
E-Mail: Juanmanuel.Paturlanne@ukmuenster.de

• Über mich

  I’m a biochemist by training with a PhD in Biomedicine. Spermatogenesis and the male germline have been my main research focus since I was a graduate student. I’m fascinated by transcriptional regulation in testis, particularly in epigenetic and hormonal control of gene expression. My work focuses on molecular changes to the male germline occurring not only during physiological processes such as development and ageing, but also in the case of sex chromosome alterations and male infertility. I use a range of tools to answer my study questions, namely next generation sequencing, single-cell and high resolution methods, and bioinformatics analyses. Outside of work, I enjoy relaxing activities like origami and reading.

   

Jutta Salzig
MTA
Tel.: +49 (0)251 83 56108
E-Mail: Jutta Salzig

• About me

  I am working as a technician in the histology laboratory. My work in this group involves many immunohistological stainings for the Androprotect program. This also includes the analyses of the tissue samples using a quantification program and data processing. I also support the clinic with the processing of tissue samples for the fertility center.

Nicole Terwort
MTA
Tel.: +49 (0)251 83 58654  
E-Mail: Nicole Terwort