Mechanosensitive dynamics at the fertilization synapse

Fertilisation is a multi-step process that culminates in the fusion of the egg and sperm. Although fertilisation is highly dynamic, research has mostly focused on identifying proteins that mediate gamete attachment and fusion and therefore the contribution of forces has been largely neglected. To tackle this fundamental gap in the understanding of fertilisation, this project proposes a two-pronged, cross-disciplinary approach to characterise the mechanosensitive properties of zebrafish and mouse gametes as well as to establish defined biomimetic assays to reconstitute sperm-egg interaction in a simplified system (‘synthetic fertilisation synapse’). Suc system would involve replacing one of the gametes by micropatterned or functionalized lipid bilayer surfaces in a tuneable microfluidics-based confinement assay.  

4D imaging together with super resolution microscopy combined with real-time manipulation of cell interaction dynamics will allow to systematically assess cellular responses to specific stimuli (e.g. opposite gamete, fertilisation factor, mechanical force). These studies will ultimately provide fundamental insights into the dynamics of sperm-egg interaction and its mechanosensitive regulation, envisioned to transform our still rudimentary understanding of fertilisation.