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Your Environment. Your Health.

Reproductive & Developmental Biology Laboratory

Dr. Francesco DeMayo
Francesco J. Demayo, Ph.D.
Chief, Reproductive & Developmental Biology Laboratory and Principal Investigator
Tel 919-541-0280
francesco.demayo@nih.gov
NIH Intramural Profile
P.O. Box 12233
Mail Drop C1-10
Durham, N.C. 27709
Carmen Williams
Carmen J. Williams, M.D., Ph.D.
Deputy Chief, Reproductive & Developmental Biology Laboratory and Principal Investigator
Tel 919-541-2158
Fax 301-480-2732
williamsc5@niehs.nih.gov
NIH Intramural Profile
P.O. Box 12233
Mail Drop E4-05
Durham, N.C. 27709

Research Summary

Disease and dysfunction of reproduction and reproductive organs are of great public health concern. Most reproductive disorders have unknown etiologies and environmental factors are likely contributors. To prevent or lessen the burden of environmentally-associated disease or dysfunction, research directed at understanding the mechanisms underlying key processes and identifying key target molecules is a crucial first step.

Illustrations for each of the groups within the Laboratory of Reproductive & Developmental Toxicology Pharmacogenetics Group Receptor Biology Group Reproductive Developmental Biology Group Reproductive Medicine Group Pregnancy and Reproduction Group

To this end, the Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory uses basic research to understand important toxicological principles in the context of reproductive and developmental health at a fundamental level. It is also translating information gained from these studies into applied toxicological testing systems and clinical studies and practice.

The Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory is comprised of five research groups that study the mechanisms and molecules with key roles in reproduction and development. The purposes of these studies contribute toward:

  • Understanding the basic processes involved in regulating reproduction and development
  • Providing the advanced knowledge needed to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and disorders that affect human reproductive health
  • Identifying the network of signals regulating developmental processes and events leading to the occurrence of developmental defects
  • Furnishing the basic information necessary to identify targets of environmental agents with detrimental effects on reproduction and development

Shared and Core Facilities

For more information about facilities that support research activities at the NIEHS campus, please see Shared and Core Facilities.

The Laboratory has the following research themes:

  • Dissecting the genetic program underlying male germ cell development and function and defining the mechanisms that regulate these processes
  • Determining the cell biology and signaling pathways regulating early mammalian embryogenesis and how the environment influences infertility
  • Defining the processes that lead to the formation of different somatic cell lineages and tissue architecture in the fetal gonads
  • Analyzing the nature and role of molecular components modulating the estrogen receptor-mediated regulation of gene expression, the biochemical and molecular properties of estrogen receptor activation, and the roles and functions of the estrogen receptors in hormonally responsive tissues
  • Determining the molecular and cellular mechanisms of nuclear receptor CAR activation, focusing on those xenobiotics that activate the receptor without directly binding and the mechanisms regulating CAR-mediated cell growth and death

Scientific Support Staff

Juanita Roman
Administrative Specialist
Tel 919-541-3206
juanita.roman@nih.gov