Project description:The intestine is a site of diverse functions including digestion, nutrient absorption, immune surveillance, and microbial symbiosis. As such, intestinal homeostasis is vital for overall wellbeing. Faecal microRNAs (miRNAs) offer valuable non-invasive insights into the transcriptional state of the intestine. However, typical faecal miRNA yields and profiles remain incompletely characterised. Here, we develop an optimised protocol for faecal miRNA detection, and describe a reproducible murine faecal miRNA profile across several studies by performing a meta-analysis. By examining faecal miRNA changes during chronic infection with the gastrointestinal helminth, Trichuris muris, we identify the altered expression of miRNAs associated with fibrosis, barrier integrity and wound healing. Fibrosis was confirmed in vivo, suggesting a role for these miRNAs in regulating wound healing during chronic infection where the production of classical wound healing Th2 cytokines are low. Further implementations of this technique can identify novel hypotheses and therapeutic strategies in diverse disease contexts.
Project description:(1) Introduction: The ovaries are the reproductive organs of female animals and play a key role in fertility and maintaining endocrine balance. Gonadal development is a complex process that involves sex determination and subsequent maturation into the ovaries or testes. At present, the understanding of the mechanisms of donkey gonad development is still limited. (2) Objectives: This study explores the comprehensive single-cell transcriptomics of donkey gonads, providing insights into the cellular and molecular events behind sex norms and gonad differentiation. (3) Methods: We used single-cell sequencing technology to construct a high-resolution map of fetal donkey gonad development, analyze the diversity and complexity of the cell composition of donkey gonads at different developmental stages, and reveal the characteristics of key cell types and gene expression patterns. (4) Results: The different cell states and active molecular pathways during the development of donkey gonadal tissue were revealed, and the gonadal ridge developed into ovary at 4-8 weeks. (5) Conclusions: This study provides a foundational resource for understanding the complex biology of donkey gonadal development and may have implications for donkey reproductive health and fertility.
Project description:With the increasing demand for donkey production, there has been a growing focus on the breeding of donkeys. However, our current understanding of the mechanisms underlying spermatogenesis and maturation in donkeys during reproduction remains limited.In this study, we constructed a single-cell RNA dataset to study the single-cell landscape of donkey spermatogenesis and maturation. This method allows us to analyze the cell composition in testicular and epididymal tissue, providing insights into the changes that occur during donkey spermatogenesis and maturation. In addition, different gene expression signatures associated with various spermatogenic cell types were found
