Germ cells are the stem cells for the next generation. Set aside during embryogenesis, they have the potential to generate a new organism through the fusion of sperm and egg. Professor Lehmann is interested in understanding how germ cells are specified in the early embryo, how they migrate through the embryo to reach the somatic part of the gonad, and how they become stem cells that continue to produce egg and sperm throughout adulthood. Lehmann's lab is studying germ cell development in Drosophila, where they combine large-scale genetic analysis with sophisticated imaging techniques to identify and characterize factors that regulate germline development.
Cinalli, R.M., Rangan, P. and Lehmann, R. (2008). Germ cells are forever. Cell. Feb 22; 132(4):559-62.
Gilboa, L. and Lehmann, R. (2007). Changing places: a novel type of niche and stem cell coordination in the Drosophila ovary. Cell Stem Cells 1: 239-240.
Renault, A.D, Sigal J.Y., A. Morris A.J. and Lehmann R. (2004) Soma-germ line competition for lipid phosphate uptake regulates germ cell migration and survival. Science. 305 (5692):1963-6.