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Date: 15 April 2025 (Tue)
Time: 11am - 12:30pm (SGT) Format: Virtual (Zoom Meeting) Host: Seungwoo CHO, Yonsei University, Korea Co-host: Shyh-Chang NG, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China |
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Speaker's information
Yoonhee JIN Yonsei University College of medicine, Korea "Biomimetic extracellular microenvironment for engineering female reproductive systems" Pubmed |
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ABSTRACT
The development of advanced extracellular matrix (ECM) systems that closely mimic the native uterus environment is crucial for advancing research and therapeutic applications in female reproductive biology. This talk will introduce the decellularized uterus extracellular matrix (UEM) as a biomimetic platform for engineering female reproductive systems. UEM has demonstrated superior performance compared to conventional ECMs, such as Matrigel, by supporting the growth, differentiation, and hormonal responsiveness of endometrial organoids (EOs). Proteomic analysis identified UEM’s enriched protein composition, including fibronectin and decorin, which enhance the expression of key genes linked to endometrial development, such as Wnt7a. In vivo studies further revealed UEM’s potential in promoting epithelial regeneration and improving pregnancy outcomes in endometrial injury models. By supporting enhanced decidualization and structural integrity in EOs, UEM represents a promising tool for studying blastocyst implantation and advancing regenerative medicine. This research highlights the critical role of tissue-specific ECMs in reconstituting functional reproductive systems and offers a pathway for future innovations in reproductive health.
BIO
Dr. Yoonhee Jin is an Assistant Professor at Yonsei University College of Medicine, specializing in stem cell therapeutics. She earned her Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Cambridge and pursued postdoctoral research at Yonsei University. Her work focuses on developing biomimetic platforms for regenerative medicine, with applications in stem cell differentiation and organoid-based disease modeling. She has received several awards, including the L’Oréal-UNESCO Fellowship for Women in Science.
The development of advanced extracellular matrix (ECM) systems that closely mimic the native uterus environment is crucial for advancing research and therapeutic applications in female reproductive biology. This talk will introduce the decellularized uterus extracellular matrix (UEM) as a biomimetic platform for engineering female reproductive systems. UEM has demonstrated superior performance compared to conventional ECMs, such as Matrigel, by supporting the growth, differentiation, and hormonal responsiveness of endometrial organoids (EOs). Proteomic analysis identified UEM’s enriched protein composition, including fibronectin and decorin, which enhance the expression of key genes linked to endometrial development, such as Wnt7a. In vivo studies further revealed UEM’s potential in promoting epithelial regeneration and improving pregnancy outcomes in endometrial injury models. By supporting enhanced decidualization and structural integrity in EOs, UEM represents a promising tool for studying blastocyst implantation and advancing regenerative medicine. This research highlights the critical role of tissue-specific ECMs in reconstituting functional reproductive systems and offers a pathway for future innovations in reproductive health.
BIO
Dr. Yoonhee Jin is an Assistant Professor at Yonsei University College of Medicine, specializing in stem cell therapeutics. She earned her Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Cambridge and pursued postdoctoral research at Yonsei University. Her work focuses on developing biomimetic platforms for regenerative medicine, with applications in stem cell differentiation and organoid-based disease modeling. She has received several awards, including the L’Oréal-UNESCO Fellowship for Women in Science.
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Hongmei WANG
Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China "Deciphering the mechanisms of primate early embryogenesis and placentation" Pubmed |
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ABSTRACT
Placental development and function are crucial for maintaining a healthy pregnancy. Abnormal placental development and function may lead to pregnancy complications and diseases. Our lab has focused on elucidating the mechanisms underlying placental development and function across multiple mammalian species (including human, macaque, and mouse) throughout gestation. These include mapping the cellular and molecular atlas of placentas by single-cell multi-omics studies, revealing the origin and differentiation trajectory of different placental cells, dissecting the mechanisms underlying trophoblast cell-cell fusion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, the interaction between trophoblasts and the uterine endometrium, and hematopoiesis within the placental villous core. Based on the understanding of placenta, our lab has also sought to develop various culture systems to support ex-utero embryogenesis and reveal the features of early mammalian embryonic development.
BIO
Dr. Hongmei Wang is the director of the State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and she also serves as the deputy director of the Institute of Zoology. She is also the chairman of the Chinese Society of Reproductive Biology. Hongmei and her team are committed to using various models—including human, non-human primate, and mouse embryos and extraembryonic tissues, as well as stem cell-based embryo models and organoids—to unravel key events and mechanisms of mammalian early development and placentation. They also aim to establish links between abnormalities in embryonic and placental development and the onset of birth defects or gestational diseases. She has published over 130 papers in academic journals, including Nature, Science, and Cell.
Placental development and function are crucial for maintaining a healthy pregnancy. Abnormal placental development and function may lead to pregnancy complications and diseases. Our lab has focused on elucidating the mechanisms underlying placental development and function across multiple mammalian species (including human, macaque, and mouse) throughout gestation. These include mapping the cellular and molecular atlas of placentas by single-cell multi-omics studies, revealing the origin and differentiation trajectory of different placental cells, dissecting the mechanisms underlying trophoblast cell-cell fusion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, the interaction between trophoblasts and the uterine endometrium, and hematopoiesis within the placental villous core. Based on the understanding of placenta, our lab has also sought to develop various culture systems to support ex-utero embryogenesis and reveal the features of early mammalian embryonic development.
BIO
Dr. Hongmei Wang is the director of the State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and she also serves as the deputy director of the Institute of Zoology. She is also the chairman of the Chinese Society of Reproductive Biology. Hongmei and her team are committed to using various models—including human, non-human primate, and mouse embryos and extraembryonic tissues, as well as stem cell-based embryo models and organoids—to unravel key events and mechanisms of mammalian early development and placentation. They also aim to establish links between abnormalities in embryonic and placental development and the onset of birth defects or gestational diseases. She has published over 130 papers in academic journals, including Nature, Science, and Cell.