Our work focuses on understanding how the oocyte undergoes the meiotic cell divisions and why the rate of chromosome abnormalities is so high in women in their late 30s and early 40s. A major factor in determining oocyte quality is the ability of mitochondria to generate ATP. We are studying mitochondrial dynamics and function in oocytes with the aim of modulating mitochondrial activity in order to improve oocyte quality. We have established a new collaboration with Monash IVF in order to translate our findings to the clinic. Our research has been funded by long term MRC Programme Grants and the ARC and the results are published in leading journal including Nature Cell Biology, Science, Developmental Cell, Development and Journal of Cell Biology.

Career Summary:

John obtained his PhD in 1991 from the University of Adelaide before moving to the MRC Experimental Embryology Unit in London. John moved to University College London (UCL) in 1996 where he held an MRC Fellowship and an academic position. In 2004 John was appointed Professor and Head of Department of Physiology, becoming the Associate Dean and Director of the UCL Division of Biosciences in 2007.

Prof John Carroll joined Monash University in September 2012 to take up the position of Head of School of Biomedical Sciences.