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Germ Cell Development and Epigenetics Research Group Head
Centre for Reproductive Health
Hudson Institute of Medical Research
Professor Patrick Western’s research is focused on understanding epigenetic processes underlying ovary function, reproductive health and the impact of transmitted epigenetic information on the next generation.
Prof Western leads the Germ Cell Development and Epigenetics Group within the Centre for Reproductive Health at the Hudson Institute of Medical Research. Using genetic and pharmacological models, the Germ Cell Development and Epigenetics Group's work is focussed in two primary areas: 1. Epigenetic programming in the germline and the impacts of germline epigenetic information on offspring development.s 2. Epigenetic mechanisms that regulate ovarian development and function and female reproductive health.
Work in the Germ Cell Development and Epigenetics Group combines discovery science with clinical models aimed at providing mechanistic information required for understanding the impacts of epigenetic programming on reproductive health and disease inheritance. Their work includes determining potential interactions between epigenomic drugs, reproductive health, the germline epigenome and subsequent outcomes in offspring.
Prof. Western completed his PhD on temperature dependent sex determination in American alligators under the supervision of Professors Andrew Sinclair and Jennifer Graves. He then completed postdoctoral training in Professor Azim Surani’s laboratory at the Wellcome Trust Gurdon Institute, Cambridge University, where he studied epigenetic reprogramming and the reacquisition of pluripotency in differentiated somatic cells, embryonic stem cells and germ cells. He continued his work with the ARC Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development where he pursued an interest in sex-specific gonad and germ cell development with a focus on the regulation of pluripotency and differentiation in early germ cells.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Education/Academic qualification
Genetics and Developmental Biology, Ph.D, Gene expression during temperature-dependent sex determination in the American alligator., La Trobe University
Award Date: 15 Sept 1999
Genetics, BSc Hons, An evolutionary study of the mammalian sex determining gene, SRY - searching for monotreme homologues, La Trobe University
Award Date: 4 Nov 1993
Research area keywords
- epigenetics
- inheritance
- fetal origins of disease
- oocyte
- ovary
- premature ovarian unsufficiency
- women's reproductive health
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Understanding epigenetic mechanisms regulating ovarian folliculogenesis
Jarred, E. & Western, P.
1/06/24 → 31/05/25
Project: Research
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Understanding non-genetic inheritance in health and disease
Western, P. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Adelson, D. L. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Gibson, W. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Blewitt, M. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Lee, H. J. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Sims, N. A. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Gouil, Q. (Associate Investigator (AI)) & Mann, J. (Associate Investigator (AI))
1/01/23 → 31/12/26
Project: Research
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SCIREQ inExpose system
Winship, A., Carroll, J., Bourke, J., Simonds, S., Heng, T., Hutt, K., Stringer, J., Western, P., Coelho Marques, F. & Abud, H.
1/10/21 → 31/12/22
Project: Research
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Epigenetic regulation of genomic stability and inheritance
Western, P. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Blewitt, M. (Partner Investigator (PI)) & Ritchie, M. E. (Partner Investigator (PI))
30/09/21 → 29/09/24
Project: Research
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Improving oocyte mitochondrial DNA copy number to enhance female reproductive capacity
St John, J. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), McKenzie, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Western, P. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Rombauts, L. (Chief Investigator (CI))
1/01/18 → 31/12/20
Project: Research
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FGF-independent MEK1/2 signalling in the developing foetal testis is essential for male germline differentiation in mice
Blücher, R. O., Lim, R. S., Jarred, E. G., Ritchie, M. E. & Western, P. S., 5 Dec 2023, In: BMC Biology. 21, 1, 22 p., 281.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access2 Citations (Scopus) -
An essential role for Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 in the mouse ovary
Prokopuk, L., Jarred, E. G., Blücher, R. O., McLaughlin, E. A., Stringer, J. M. & Western, P. S., 17 Feb 2022, In: Reproduction. 163, 3, p. 167-182 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
3 Citations (Scopus) -
The Impact of Activin A on Fetal Gonocytes: Chronic Versus Acute Exposure Outcomes
Moody, S. C., Whiley, P. A. F., Western, P. S. & Loveland, K. L., 31 May 2022, In: Frontiers in Endocrinology. 13, 23 p., 896747.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access5 Citations (Scopus) -
Transient Polycomb activity represses developmental genes in growing oocytes
Jarred, E. G., Qu, Z., Tsai, T., Oberin, R., Petautschnig, S., Bildsoe, H., Pederson, S., Zhang, Q.-H., Stringer, J. M., Carroll, J., Gardner, D. K., Van den Buuse, M., Sims, N. A., Gibson, W. T., Adelson, D. L. & Western, P. S., Dec 2022, In: Clinical Epigenetics. 14, 1, 18 p., 183.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access3 Citations (Scopus) -
Activin A Determines Steroid Levels and Composition in the Fetal Testis
Whiley, P. A. F., O'Donnell, L., Moody, S. C., Handelsman, D. J., Young, J. C., Richards, E. A., Almstrup, K., Western, P. S. & Loveland, K. L., Jul 2020, In: Endocrinology. 161, 7, 16 p., bqaa058.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile16 Citations (Scopus)