Spatial sensing of spermatogonial stem cells: cues for cell (dys)function (A05)

• Subject Area: Reproductive Medicine, Urology ; Cell Biology
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 549467913

Men with only few sperm in their ejaculate (cryptozoospermia) feature a mix of seminiferous tubules with normal and impaired germ cell differentiation, which may be caused by mechanical forces acting on the tissue. This project aims to delineate the mechanobiology of the seminiferous tubules and its role in germ cell differentiation. Thus, the mechanical properties of seminiferous tubules with normal versus impaired germ cell differentiation will be determined by atomic force microscopy, combined with spatially resolved transcriptional profiling of enclosed cells. This will reveal how mechanical forces affect germ cell differentiation in tissues from infertile men.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1748: Principles of Reproduction – Unravelling the Molecular Mechanisms of Male Infertility
• Applicant Institution: Universität Münster
• Project Heads: Professorin Dr. Nina Neuhaus; Professorin Dr. Sara A. Wickström