Smith, Gary

Gary D. Smith, PhD. is currently Director of the Reproductive Sciences Program at the University of Michigan. He is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Molecular and Integrated Physiology, and Urology. In addition, he is Scientific Director of the University of Michigan Health Systems Center for Reproductive Medicine. He completed his Ph.D. and Postdoctoral training at Washington State University and the Oregon Regional Primate Research Center, respectively. Within his NIH and USDA-funded research laboratory, investigations focus on regulation of oocyte meiosis and chromatin segregation, male and female gamete cryopreservation and subsequent intracellular function, and integration of new biotechnologies (microfluidics and artificial matrices/scaffolds) in gamete/embryo/ human embryonic stem cell isolation, culture, and selection. Studies in this laboratory range from very basic in nature to translational research aimed at introducing new, or improving existing, means of preserving fertility or treating infertility.

Regulation of Spindle and Chromatin Dynamics during Oocyte Maturation

Current knowledge of intra-oocyte mechanisms that regulate chromatin remodeling during meiotic progression will be discussed. The influence of chromatin structure on spindle formation and function, and spindle regulation of chromatin segregation will be discussed in relation to extra-oocyte perturbations that can result in meiotic non-disjunctions and subsequent embryonic aneuploidy.