Abstract: The proper functioning of the mechanisms governing meiosis is essential for reproduction, genomic stability, and the accurate transmission of genetic information across generations. Errors in these processes can lead to infertility or genetic abnormalities in offspring. Our research focuses on various aspects of meiosis regulation, including the control of synapsis and recombination, the interaction between chromosomes and the cytoskeleton, and the evolution of sex chromosomes.

In this seminar, I will focus on the regulation of centrosomes during meiosis, as well as a recently discovered structure: the meiotic primary cilium. Dysfunction in ciliogenesis or ciliary signaling pathways is linked to a group of disorders collectively known as ciliopathies, which frequently result in infertility. The meiotic primary cilium, identified in mammalian spermatogenesis in 2022, acts as a cellular antenna during early meiosis. Our work aims to characterize its structure, regulation, and dynamics.

Biography: Rocío Gómez is an Associate Professor of Cell Biology at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM). With over two decades of research experienceLink opens in a new window, she has made significant contributions to the field of meiosis, particularly in advancing the understanding of meiotic cohesin complexes, the regulation of centromere assembly and chromosome segregation, and the control of synapsis and DNA recombination events.

Currently, Dr. Gómez leads a research group focused on elucidating the regulation of centrosomes during meiosis, a process that in mammals can span up to 35 days. Her most recent work explores the meiotic cilium from an evolutionary perspective, aiming to uncover its structure, function, and the correlation between ciliogenesis and flagellogenesis during mammalian spermatogenesis.

In addition to her research, Dr Gómez teaches Cell Biology, Histology, and Embryology across various undergraduate and master's programs at UAMLink opens in a new window. She is actively involved in international initiatives, having served as the International Coordinator for the Faculty of Sciences for the past 12 years. In this role, she has facilitated numerous international agreements and partnerships with associations and institutions worldwide. Her group is also very engaged in transmitting science to young generations in multiple science outreach and education initiativesLink opens in a new window. For the past five years, she has also served as the Head of the Department of Biology at UAM, overseeing a multidisciplinary team of more than 150 researchers. The department encompasses a wide array of fields, including anthropology, botany, animal and plant physiology, paleontology, zoology, genetics, and cell biology.