Method for Altering Stem Cells Triggers Meiosis to Tackle Infertility Issues

In a significant advancement for reproductive medicine, researchers from the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University have developed a new protocol that could pave the way for the creation of male contraceptives and the testing of new drug candidates for potential reproductive toxicities.

The study, titled "Initiation of meiosis from human iPSCs under defined conditions through identification of regulatory factors," was published in Science Advances. George Church, PhD, a renowned geneticist and core faculty member at the Wyss Institute, is a co-corresponding author of the study.

The research team, led by George Church, identified three regulators that activate the initiation of meiosis: STRA8, MEIOSIN, and DMRT1. They also found that inhibiting DNA methylation boosted the efficiency of entry into meiosis.

The new protocol bypasses the primordial germ cell (PGC) state, simplifying the process of initiating meiosis. This breakthrough could offer potential applications for drug development and future fertility treatments.

The cells efficiently progressed through the first two stages of meiosis, leptonema and zygonema, over approximately 12 days. The researchers also discovered that three regulatory genes, BOLL, MEIOC, and HOXB5, could activate meiosis in their system.

The fertility rate in the United States is at a historic low, and a growing number of couples are struggling with fertility problems. This advance by George Church's group offers researchers a new platform for working towards a solution for many of the underlying causes.

Merrick Pierson Smela, PhD, first author of the study and former graduate student in the Church lab, is advancing the technology as the chief scientific officer of Ovelle, a reproductive medicine startup. George Church, PhD, is a keynote speaker at GEN's upcoming virtual event, The State of Biotech, streaming on September 24, 2025.

It's important to note that healthy eggs and sperm are the product of an extremely complex and error-prone process. The new stem cell differentiation method developed in the study could help in creating healthy gametes for individuals who can't efficiently get there by themselves.

Approximately 1 in 6 people are affected by infertility worldwide. This breakthrough could potentially revolutionize the field of reproductive medicine, offering hope for those struggling with infertility.

George Church is tied to dozens of groundbreaking biotech companies, including eGenesis and Colossal Biosciences. His work at the Wyss Institute continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in the field of synthetic biology.

This research is a significant step forward in our understanding of meiosis and could lead to a host of new applications in reproductive medicine and drug development. The potential implications of this work are vast, and it will be exciting to see how this research evolves in the coming years.