Lei Lei , PhD
- Associate Professor Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health
Dr. Lei’s research focuses on mammalian ovarian reserve formation, maintenance, and its associated female reproductive health issues. The Lei lab is particularly interested in understanding 1) how the intercellular transport of organelles and cytoplasm during ovarian reserve formation in fetal ovaries influences ovarian function and female fertility in adulthood; 2) the roles of organelle organization and RNA storage in ovarian reserve maintenance and activation in adult females; and 3) cellular origins of ovarian cancer. Dr. Lei’s research has been reported in Science, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA (PNAS), Development and Biology Open, etc. Dr. Lei has been peer-reviewing research articles for Science, PNAS, Nature Medicine, etc. and research grants for the National Institutes of Health.
Research
Areas of expertise
- Cancer Biology
- Developmental Genetics
- Reproductive Biology
- RNA Structure and Function
Research Summary
Current research projects in the lab include understanding how intercellular transport of organelles and cytoplasm during ovarian reserve formation within fetal ovaries influences ovarian function and fertility in adulthood; revealing the roles of organelle organization and RNA storage in primordial follicles and how they affect maintenance and activation of ovarian reserve in adulthood; and uncovering cellular origin and microenvironment that lead to the onset of ovarian cancer. The lab’s findings allow for continuing investigation towards medical solutions for early detection and prevention of premature ovarian insufficiency, as well as early detection of ovarian cancer.Dr. Lei’s research focuses on mammalian ovarian reserve formation, maintenance, and its associated female reproductive health issues. The Lei lab is particularly interested in understanding 1) how the intercellular transport of organelles and cytoplasm during ovarian reserve formation in fetal ovaries influences ovarian function and female fertility in adulthood; 2) the roles of organelle organization and RNA storage in ovarian reserve maintenance and activation in adult females; and 3) cellular origins of ovarian cancer. Dr. Lei’s research has been reported in Science, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA (PNAS), Development and Biology Open, etc. Dr. Lei has been peer-reviewing research articles for Science, PNAS, Nature Medicine, etc. and research grants for the National Institutes of Health.