My research has focused on the control of different aspects of the meiotic cell cycle and control of meiosis in general. We have primarily used mouse spermatogenesis as a model, however different lines of research have been done using yeast and drosophila meiosis models. Our current hypothesis is that the meiotic cell divisions in the male mouse are controlled by a cascade of cell cycle regulators, which begins with the transcription of the meiotic specific cyclin, cyclin A1 and its unique partner, Cdk2Beta. This complex is further activated by the cell cycle regulators, CKS2 and KAP1. Fully active Cyclin A1/Cdk2Beta activates the Cdc25A phosphatase, which then activates MPF for the first meiotic metaphase.
My overall research interests and expertise are listed below:
1. Control of meiosis: initiation and cell division. 2. Development of germ cells in the male and female. 3. Early embryonic development and gonadogenesis. 4. Morphology of mammalian spermatogenesis.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Control of meiosis: initiation and cell division.
Development of germ cells in the male and female.
Early embryonic development and gonadogenesis
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
Liao Persson, J., Zhang, Q., Wang, X.Y., Ravnik, S.E., Muhlrad, S, and Wolgemuth, D.J., "Distinct Roles for the Mammalian A-type Cyclins during Oogenesis" Reproduction, 130:411-422, Summer 2005
Simons, D.M., Kersten, C.A., and Ravnik, S.E, "Regulation of Meiosis in Male Germ Cells of the Mouse by Cdk2_, a Cdk2 Splice Variant" Reproductive Biology, Under review 2007
Schrader, M., M|ller-Tidow, C., Ravnik, S.,M|ller, M., Wolfgang, S., Dietrichs, S., Straub, B., Serve, H., and Miller, K., "Cyclin A1 mRNA in Testicular Tissue of Fertile and Infertile Patients - A Potential New Molecular Diagnostic Marker" Human Reproduction, 17:2338-2343, 2002
Collins, S.N. and Ravnik, S.E., "Graduate School: Tricks, Tips, and Secrets" In Chemistry, Nov/Dec:18-20, November 2004
Porties, T, Lawler, J, Cole, M, and Ravnik, S.E., "How to Recruit Doctoral Science Students" NAGAP Perspectives, 18:32-34, Summer 2006
SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS
Ravnik, S.E. and Wolgemuth D.J., "Regulation of Meiosis during Mammalian Spermatogenesis: The A-type Cyclins and Their Associated Cyclin-Dependent Kinases Are Differentially Expressed in the Germ Cell Lineage" Developmental Biology, 207:408-418, 1999
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