Grant: Project Grant

Oviduct/fallopian tube is a tube-like structure extending from the uterus to the ovary. It is an essential organ for internal fertilization. 30% of infertility in women is linked with the problems in the fallopian tube. In addition, recently it has been recognized that the fallopian tube is the origin of the most common type of ovarian cancer. However, we have only scant knowledge about its development, cellular composition and homeostatic regulation. My team previously identified cellular and regional heterogeneity in fallopian tube epithelial cells. In this proposal, we will investigate how the oviduct and each epithelial cell populations forms during development and how their unique identity is maintained. We also will evaluate if any specific cell population is uniquely susceptible against oncogenic insults potentially leading to tubo-ovarian cancer tumorigenesis.