- B.S., Morehouse College
- Ph.D., University of Georgia
In the Lab
Reproductive challenges in both human and livestock populations are of significant concern and are often a direct result of abnormal germ cell (oocyte and sperm) development. Aberrant germ cell development significantly affects human fertility, is the leading cause of early pregnancy loss and results in birth defects such as Down’s syndrome and Klinefelter’s. Failed gametogenesis in livestock has significantly increased because of intense selection for commercial traits and decreased emphasis on reproductive success. Livestock sub-fertility and sterility, spontaneous fetal abortion, decrease litter size and abnormal offspring have all been linked to errors in germ cell development and are a significant source of lost potential income. To address aberrant germ cell development, my lab has developed novel technologies enabling systematic study of gametogenesis in humans and livestock including 1) A robust in vitro pluripotent stem cell to germ cell differentiation culture system capable of generating large numbers of germ like-cells and 2) the development of the only known chimera competent porcine induced pluripotent stem cell line.
Utilizing stem cells and advanced molecular and genetic tools, we can address our long term goal of identifying and understand germ cell regulatory signaling in humans and domestic livestock species that could provide invaluable insight into the mechanistic causes of abnormal gametogenesis. Studying important germ cell signaling in human and livestock stem cell derived germ cells may one day lead to the discovery of new targets for drug and toxicology screens, a better understanding of the etiology of diseases caused by errors in germ cell differentiation or even assisted reproductive technologies in domestic livestock species. Please visit the West Laboratory for more information.
Research Interest
- Aberrant Germ Cell Development
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Neural Injury
- Stroke
- Livestock Stem Cells
Links
- ​Publications by Franklin West may be found at PubMed.
- UGA researchers work to develop stem cell bank for Sumatran tiger, clouded leopard
- ​For more information visit the West Lab.
CAES TNRR Lab
The TNRR lab specializes in evaluating neuroprotective and regenerative therapies in porcine models that are representative of human pathologies. Neuroanatomical similarities between pigs and humans including cerebral size, cytoarchitecture, and white matter composition have enabled researchers and medical professionals to advance the current understanding of underlying pathophysiological processes following neural injury. For more information visit the CAES Translational Neural Repair and Regeneration Laboratory.