Ariella Shikanov, PhD - Artificial Ovary, Delaying Menopause and Big Ideas in Ovarian Biology

10/23/24 • 40 min

What would it take to create an Artificial Ovary?

Meet Ariella Shikanov, professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Michigan. Earlier this year, her team at Shikanov Lab made history when they created a new Map of the Ovary.

With the support of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Ariella's team mapped gene expression in various regions of the ovary, marking a major milestone in our understanding of reproductive biology.

Enjoy!

Want to become a MOTHER-sponsor and create some magic together? Reach out to us: https://shorturl.at/0RHLM

(00:00) Intro

(03:00) How ovaries work: eggs, hormones, and follicles explained

(06:10) Puberty and how the brain controls your ovaries

(07:30) How your ovaries talk to other organs

(09:00) Key findings from Map of The Ovary research

(12:00) Oncofertility: preserving fertility during cancer treatment

(15:30) The challenge and hope of freezing ovarian tissue

(17:50) Delaying menopause: new approaches to keep ovaries functioning longer

(21:00) The future of artificial ovaries and extending hormone production

(24:00) How the immune system affects ovarian health, PCOS, and endometriosis

(28:00) Women’s immune health and its role in reproduction

(31:00) Ethical questions in ovarian research

(35:00) How delaying menopause could improve quality of life

(37:50) How Ariella’s work is shaping the future of women’s health

Links:

Ariella's X Profile - https://x.com/ariellashikanov

Shikanov Lab at University of Michigan - Research overview, publications, and projects related to preserving ovarian function and artificial ovary development.

https://www.shikanov.bme.umich.edu

Map of the Human Ovary - Spatial Atlas Research - A detailed explanation of the map created by Shikanov Lab, including its implications for fertility research.

https://news.engin.umich.edu/articles/spatial-atlas-of-the-human-ovary

Human Cell Atlas: Ovarian Map - A cellular atlas of the human ovary using spatial transcriptomics and single-cell sequencing data.

https://explore.data.humancellatlas.org/projects/f598aee0-d269-4036-90e9-d6d5b1c84429

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What would it take to create an Artificial Ovary?

Meet Ariella Shikanov, professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Michigan. Earlier this year, her team at Shikanov Lab made history when they created a new Map of the Ovary.

With the support of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Ariella's team mapped gene expression in various regions of the ovary, marking a major milestone in our understanding of reproductive biology.

Enjoy!

Want to become a MOTHER-sponsor and create some magic together? Reach out to us: https://shorturl.at/0RHLM

(00:00) Intro

(03:00) How ovaries work: eggs, hormones, and follicles explained

(06:10) Puberty and how the brain controls your ovaries

(07:30) How your ovaries talk to other organs

(09:00) Key findings from Map of The Ovary research

(12:00) Oncofertility: preserving fertility during cancer treatment

(15:30) The challenge and hope of freezing ovarian tissue

(17:50) Delaying menopause: new approaches to keep ovaries functioning longer

(21:00) The future of artificial ovaries and extending hormone production

(24:00) How the immune system affects ovarian health, PCOS, and endometriosis

(28:00) Women’s immune health and its role in reproduction

(31:00) Ethical questions in ovarian research

(35:00) How delaying menopause could improve quality of life

(37:50) How Ariella’s work is shaping the future of women’s health

Links:

Ariella's X Profile - https://x.com/ariellashikanov

Shikanov Lab at University of Michigan - Research overview, publications, and projects related to preserving ovarian function and artificial ovary development.

https://www.shikanov.bme.umich.edu

Map of the Human Ovary - Spatial Atlas Research - A detailed explanation of the map created by Shikanov Lab, including its implications for fertility research.

https://news.engin.umich.edu/articles/spatial-atlas-of-the-human-ovary

Human Cell Atlas: Ovarian Map - A cellular atlas of the human ovary using spatial transcriptomics and single-cell sequencing data.

https://explore.data.humancellatlas.org/projects/f598aee0-d269-4036-90e9-d6d5b1c84429

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

Sioned Fôn Jones, PhD and Lydia Mapstone, PhD - The Fascinating Science of Breast Milk Microbiome

Could the discovery of breast milk microbiome transform the health of future generations?

Meet Dr. Lydia Mapstone (microbiologist) and Dr. Sioned Fôn Jones (chemist & biophysicist), the founders of BoobyBiome.

Sioned and Lydia explain that a mother’s breast milk contains a unique microbiome. This microbiome influences up to 40% of a baby’s gut and is the key to immune health. Currently, the only way to transfer breast milk microbiome to the baby is through breastfeeding. Even storing milk in the fridge isn’t the same, as exposure to oxygen compromises it. Sioned and Lydia are doing pioneering scientific research and building incredible products, like a "symbiotic" that will supplement formula milk with the necessary bacteria, and a device that preserves the microbiome in milk during storage. In recognition of their important work, they won the Potts Medal for outstanding contribution to science and were named in Forbes magazine's 30 under 30 list.

Enjoy!

Want to become a MOTHER-sponsor and create some magic together? Reach out to us: https://shorturl.at/0RHLM

(00:00) Intro

(01:30) The discovery of breast milk microbiome

(03:00) What is a microbiome?

(04:40) Infant gut microbiome and "dysbiosis"

(05:30) How does our mother's microbiome transfer to us?

(06:40) How infant gut microbiome links to health

(09:00) Consumerisation of microbiome: hypothesis vs scientific fact

(13:00) Breastfeeding rates today

(17:00) The issues with formula milk

(19:30) How breast milk adjusts to the needs of the baby in real time

(21:50) BoobyBiome's pioneering database of breast milk microbiome

(26:30) Breast milk superdonors

(28:20) C-sections and microbiome

(30:20) Booby Biome's ultimate mission

(32:00) Breast milk storage and oxygen exposure

(32:40) Personalised probiotics for women who are breastfeeding

Links:

https://www.boobybiome.com/

Donating breast milk for science:

https://www.boobybiome.com/donate

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/boobybiome

Lydia's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydia-mapstone-phd-382688168/

Sioned's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sionedfjones/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

Dr. Lauren Macdonald - Inside a Psychedelic Retreat for Women, Neuroplasticity and Embodiment

What happens inside a psychedelic retreat? Meet Dr. Lauren Macdonald - a psychiatry doctor, group retreat facilitator and psychedelic therapy guide. She worked with patients in psychedelic clinical trials at Imperial College London and now leads psychedelic retreats around the world. Her approach includes integrating traditional and Western medicine. In this episode, you'll hear what happens at The Reconnection, Lauren's bi-annual retreat for women.

Enjoy!

Want to become a MOTHER-sponsor and create some magic together? Reach out to us: https://shorturl.at/0RHLM

(00:00) Intro

(01:20) Weaving psychedelics with modern medicine

(08:20) What is a psychedelic experience like

(14:00) Inside "The Reconnection" retreat

(18:40) The reason women come to the retreats

(20:00) What does being an "embodied" person mean?

(23:30) Psychedelics and Women's Health

(29:50) Psychospiritual approach to medicine

(34:30) Insights from women who attend psychedelic retreats

(41:00) Neuroplasticity and post-retreat glow