Airat Ibragimov

Genes that code for proteins account for less than 2% of the human genome: what does the rest of the genome do?

Telomeres cap and protect the linear eukaryotic chromosomes. Telomere length is determined by an equilibrium between positive and negative regulators of telomerase activity. A systematic screen for yeast mutants that affect telomere length maintenance in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae revealed that mutations in any of ~500 genes affects telomere length.

Male fertility relies on the continuous production of sperm via a process known as spermatogenesis. This involves spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) dividing to form undifferentiated spermatogonia (uSPGs), which then progress through the meiotic and haploid phases of spermatogenesis to form mature sperm (de Rooij, 1998). To ensure that the supply of sperm remains constant, SSCs must continuously provide new uSPGs while also self-renewing to maintain their stocks.