
Dr. rer. nat. Sandra Laurentino
Scientist
Tel.: +49 (0)251 83-54830
E-Mail: Sandra Laurentino
About me
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.
Scientific career
Since 2/2012 Researcher at the Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology (CeRA), Münster, Germany 11/2011 Doctorate in Biomedicine by the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Portugal. Thesis: “Sexual Steroid Regulation of Spermatogenesis: New Actors Enter the Stage” 2007-2011 PhD Student at the Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, supported by a PhD stipend from the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, the Portuguese public funding agency for the support of science, technology and innovation. 2001-2006 Licenciatura degree in Biochemistry (pre-Bologna process) at the University of Beira Interior. Final thesis: “Study of the Expression of Androgen Receptor, Estrogen Receptors α and β and α-Inhibin and Localization of Androgen Receptor in Testicular Tissue of Infertile Men” Current grants
“P6: Molecular mechanisms of spermatogenic failure at transcriptional and epigenetic level”
DFG Clinical Research Unit 326 full project (LA4064/3-2), with Nina Neuhaus.“Mapping primate male germ cell development using single-cell transcriptomics”
Innovative Medical Research of the University of Muenster Medical School full project (LA112010), with Nina Neuhaus.“The roadmap of male germ cell development: a single-cell transcriptome approach”
Innovative Medical Research of the University of Muenster Medical School pilot project (LA221806), with Nina Neuhaus.“Single-cell transcriptome analysis to dissect the interaction between soma and germline in the human testis”
DFG Research Unit ‘Germ Cell Potential’ pilot project, with Sara Di Persio.