Dr Christopher Penfold

My research has three main arcs:

1. Understanding of mammalian embryo development. particularly around the early postimplantation stages. Here I use in vivo data, in vitro models, and machine learning to gain insights into interactions between embryonic, extraembryonic, and maternal tissues.
2. The germline. Here I am interested in the origin of the germline and establishing advanced in models for the in vitro derivation of mature gametes.
3. Finally I am interested in histone modification barriers to somatic cell nuclear transfer, and developing approaches that allow investigation of reprogramming and totipotency.