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Professor Nava Dekel Faculty of Biology Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology Office: +972-8-934-3716, 2728 Fax: +972-8-934-4116 Max and Lillian Candiotty Building, Room 311a Nava.Dekel@weizmann.ac.il

Every follicle in the mammalian ovary contains an oocyte, which is arrested at the diploten of the first meiotic division. The oocytes are maintained at this stage until the onset of puberty when, at each reproductive cycle, some of them are selected to reenter meiosis, progress to the second metaphase and arrest again. At this stage the oocytes acquired maturity and can be fertilized.

The mature oocyte is released from the ovary to meet the sperm at the oviductal site of fertilization. The interaction with the sperm triggers the completion of meiosis. The newly formed embryo travels along the oviduct and develops into a blastocyst upon its entry into the uterus for implantation. Implantation is an essential prelude for a successful pregnancy.

The studies in our laboratory are directed at understanding the mechanisms that are involved in the control of reproduction with a focus on the following specific topics:

1. The role of vasorin in ovarian physiology
2. The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in oocytes resuming meiosis
3. Angiogenic events in the selection of follicles for ovulation
4. Involvement of specific immune cells in ovulation
5. The inflammatory components of successful implantation