Antony W. Wood, Ph.D.

Investigator, Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology
Assistant Biologist, Massachusetts General Hospital
Instructor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology,
  Harvard Medical School
Affiliate Faculty, Harvard Stem Cell Institute

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Brief Overview of Wood Lab Research:
The long-term objectives of my research are to identify genes and pathways that are required for embryonic development of the reproductive system, namely the ovaries and testes. To do this, I use an interesting
genetic model of animal development known as the zebrafish. This charming little tropical fish is genetically similar to humans, and contains virtually all of the same organs and tissues (brain, heart, kidney, liver, pancreas, skin, muscle, ovary, testis). Zebrafish embryos also develop outside of the mother (so we can raise them in a dish), are transparent, and complete embryogenesis in only 3 days. These features make the zebrafish a remarkably elegant and powerful genetic model of development, allowing us to identify genes necessary for development of specific organs
much more quickly and economically than is possible in more traditional animal models (e.g., mouse, rat). The zebrafish is also an excellent model of human diseases, as thousands of genetic mutant zebrafish have been identified by forward genetic screens.

Research in my lab recently identified an important role for insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling in development of the reproductive system. We “knocked down” the expression of IGF receptors in zebrafish embryos, and found that the embryonic progenitor cells of eggs and sperm, known as primordial germ cells (PGCs), failed to migrate correctly from their site of origin to the embryonic gonad (see Dev. Biol. 2007. 305:377-387). We are now further exploring this question, by determining which cells in the embryo specifically require IGF signaling in order to

achieve correct PGC migration. This work was the first to identify a specific role for IGF signaling in development of the reproductive system, and may help to explain why humans with IGF-related growth deficiencies frequently suffer from reduced fertility.

Another area of interest in our lab is exploring the functions of specific genes that are important for the development of gynecologic cancers. We have cloned a putative ovarian cancer tumor-suppressor gene in zebrafish known as Cables1, and are currently exploring its functions during zebrafish embryonic development (see Cancer Biol. Ther. 2008. 7:1-9). This work is being performed in collaboration with Dr. Bo Rueda, here at the Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology.