Infertility affects 1 in 6 people globally, yet up to 30% of cases remain unexplained. While most research focuses on germ cells or hormone levels, the contribution of the body’s support systems, especially blood and lymphatic vessels, has been neglected in the past.

Using zebrafish as a model, the lab investigates how vascular and lymphatic networks shape gonadal development and fertility. Blood and lymphatic endothelial cells do more than supply oxygen or drain fluid; they interact directly with germ cells, influence hormone signaling, and may be essential for reproductive success.

The group’s work focuses on four key goals:

1. Build a developmental atlas of gonadal vasculature.
By combining high-resolution imaging and single-cell transcriptomics, the lab is mapping how blood and lymphatic vessels grow and function in the testis and ovary from early development through maturity.

2. Identify what goes wrong when vessels malfunction.
The team uses CRISPR gene editing and zebrafish mutants to model human infertility-related mutations in vascular genes. These models reveal how even subtle disruptions in vascular function can impact sperm and egg development.

3. Dissect the role of specific cell types.
Through precise cell ablation tools, the group tests how endothelial cells, germ cells, macrophages, and support cells contribute to gonad structure, communication, and fertility.

4. Translate findings into human systems.
Partnering with experts in stem cell biology, the lab is developing human iPSC-derived gonadal organoids (miniature ovaries and testes in a dish) to explore how human vascular cues guide reproductive health, and how they break down in disease.

By integrating developmental biology, genetics, and translational models, this work is laying the foundation for new diagnostics and therapies, especially for patients with unexplained infertility.