Speakers

A  list of confirmed speakers is provided below. The speakers are experts from international institutions of 11 countries of 4 continents. All undertake research in the interdisciplinary field of embryonic diapause.

Aydan Bulut-Karsioglu, Germany (Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin): Chromatin regulation by growth, in proliferation and in pause

Jee Yeon Cha, US (Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville): A role for Msx genes in embryonic diapause

Jane Fenelon, Australia (University of Melbourne):

Toshihiko Fujimori, Japan (National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki): Dormancy progression in mouse embryonic diapause

Thomas Hildebrandt, Germany (Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin): Is diapause relevant for conservation of endangered species?

Shuangbo Kong, China (Reproductive Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Fujian): Blastocyst activation engenders transcriptome reprogram affecting X-chromosome reactivation and inflammatory trigger of implantation

Amitabh Krishna, India (Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi): The critical role of energy availability in embryonic diapause in Fruit bat, Cynopterus sphinx

Hyunjung Jade Lim, Korea (Konkuk University, Seoul): Autophagy regulates embryonic survival during delayed implantation in mice

Bruce Murphy, Canada (Université de Montréal): Obligate diapause as manifest in carnivores

Grazyna Ptak, Italy (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo): Energy utilization by the diapausing embryo

John J Rasweiler, US (Gynecologic Oncology, State University of New York): Postimplantation delayed development in Seba’s short-tailed fruit bat, Carollia perspicillata

Marilyn Renfree, Australia (University of Melbourne):

Geoff Shaw, Australia (University of Melbourne):

Michelle Shero, US (Biology Department, Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole): If all Pinniped species are supposed to have embryonic diapause, then why might not this one?

Susanne E Ulbrich, Switzerland (Animal Physiology, ETH Zurich): Embryonic Diapause in roe deer: a model for deciphering the control of developmental velocity

The conference will focus on highlighting the phenomenon of diapause across a series of topics and in an integrated fashion. The whole animal, specific tissues, as well as cellular and molecular aspects will be addressed. The symposium will be organized by addressing the following aspects:

1. Evolution and diversity of diapause, including comparative zoological studies.
2. Comparative embryology of diapause, including molecular embryology of developmental arrest and reactivation.
3. Embryo-uterine communication during
4. Physiological (endocrine and paracrine) regulation of diapause.
5. Role and effects of the environment (e.g. photoperiod, lactation, nutrition), animal behavior and reproductive
6. The expected impact of climate change on species displaying diapause.
7. Molecular signals controlling cell growth in the embryo
8. Future directions: use of knowledge of diapause for improved control of reproduction and amelioration of infertility in humans and wild and domestic mammals.
9. Future directions for studies of diapause in relation to other biological phenomena, including stem cell biology and carcinogenesis.
10. Future applications to issues in reproductive biology, including human infertility and techniques for rescue of endangered species.