Eileen Mclaughlin

Biography

I undertook a PhD at the University of Bristol on the effects of cryopreservation on human gametes and embryos under the supervision of Dr Chris Ford. On completion of my PhD I moved to the Department of Biochemistry on a Wellcome Trust postdoctoral fellowship to work in the lab of Prof Len Hall where I identified genes involved in male fertility and characterised their role in fertilization. In 2000 I took up a position in the Pest Animal Control CRC in CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems in Canberra where I worked on the development of virally vectored immunocontraception for rabbit control. In 2002 I was recruited to the University of Newcastle where I established my research group. Work in my lab focuses on the RNA binding proteins and their roles in spermatogenesis and folliculogenesis and proteins involved in meiosis. In addition we study cytokines that control the activation of primordial follicles in the mammalian ovary and ovotoxic xenobiotics which cause oocyte loss and early menopause. I have published in Cell Stem Cell, PNAS, Developmental Biology and Toxicological Sciences . We use a number of mouse models and a wide range of cell and molecular biology techniques to monitor cell signalling dynamics in primary culture, identify novel target proteins, functionally characterise translational repressors and activators and use structural modelling to design inhibitors of these interactions. We collaborate extensively through the ARC Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development as well as with individual groups in the USA and Australia.

Research Interest

Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine