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Rebecca Garrett Jaszczak, BS

PhD Candidate, Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program

Univeristy of California

Presentation Title: Heterogeneity among migrating primordial germ cells evealed by single cell RNA sequencing

Abstract: Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are precursors to sperm and egg cells. Most mammalian PGCs are specified in the epiblast - far from their eventual tissue niche of the gonad - and must undergo an arduous migration to the forming embryonic gonads. However, not every PGC is a successful migrant. Previous studies indicate that mouse PGCs exhibit heterogeneous responses to migration cues, suggesting that observed variation in migration behavior of PGCs could arise intrinsically. Additionally, it has been observed that signals from the somatic environment progressively and differentially influence PGC proliferation along the migratory route. Together, these data suggest that intrinsic differences among PGCs and extrinsic cues from the soma may play important roles in determining which PGCs colonize the gonad. What transcriptional or functional qualities distinguish a successful PGC, one able to colonize the gonad, from a PGC which dies during migration? To search for these qualities, we have conducted a pilot single cell RNA sequencing experiment on migrating mouse E10.5 PGCs. Using bioinformatic analysis, we found different sub-populations of PGCs. Next, we plan to validate these findings in vivo, as well as create a comprehensive map of single cell transcriptional expression across PGC development. Our unbiased bioinformatic transcriptional profile examination will allow us to distinguish novel features of PGC heterogeneity. In discussing these works, I will highlight how bioinformatic analysis can be linked to traditional developmental biology studies to provide greater understanding of developmental heterogeneity.