Kara Hoffert Graduate Student  Major Professor: Dr. Gary B. Anderson   Phone: (530)752-7544 FAX: (530)752-0175 E-mail: kahoffert@ucdavis.edu

Education

B.S., Animal Science (Biotechnology Option), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia, 1994.
M.S., Animal Science, University of California, Davis, 1996.
Ph.D., Physiology, University of California, Davis (In Progress).

Project: 

Title: Gene expression and embryonic development in nuclear transfer-derived bovine embryos

Description: The efficiency of the nuclear transfer (NT) method of cloning is usually low, with a high occurrence of embryonic and fetal loss and developmental abnormalities. The specific objective of this research is to characterize early placental development and expression of developmentally important genes in in vitro-fertilized (IVF) and somatic cell NT-derived embryos. Nuclear transfer bovine embryos were produced using ear skin fibroblasts as donor cells. Cloned and IVF bovine embryos were recovered at day 30 of gestation. Experiments are currently underway to examine gene expression and developmental characteristics of these embryos.

At day 30 of gestation in cattle, critical events of implantation and formation of the placenta take place. These experiments investigate two areas crucial to placental development: 1.) angiogenesis and formation of the microvasculature in placental and uterine tissues; and 2.) cell adhesion and migration events associated with the initiation of implantation. Histological preparations are now being examined to quantify development of the microvasculature in fetal and uterine tissues. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR is being used to evaluate expression of genes involved in angiogenesis (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor) and cell adhesion (e.g., various integrins). In addition, immunocytochemistry experiments will localize expression of various angiogenesis and cell adhesion molecules in the placental and uterine tissues. Results are forthcoming for each of these experiments. These experiments may identify inappropriate gene expression leading to aberrant placental development in cloned concepti, as well as further adding to our understanding of critical events at the time of implantation.