Bortvin Lab

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Our current research efforts are focused on the problem of regulation of retrotransposon activity in the mouse germline. We use a variety of experimental approaches to understand the biochemical function and cellular roles of a conserved germ cell-specific mouse protein Maelstrom (MAEL) during mouse germ cell differentiation.

Abrogation of Mael function in fruit flies and mice results in derepression of retrotransposons, loss of germ cells and infertility. We also use Mael mutants of both sexes to understand the impact of transposon activation on germ cell differentiation, particularly in meiotic prophase I.