SR-SIM Four laser structured illumination system; Imaris 3D visualization package
Image provided by Momal Sharif, David Miller Lab
Research funded by the COMSATS Institute of Information and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
Syntaxin, a protein that plays a key role in chemical release in many types of cells, is found in the cell membrane of sperm. The head of each sperm contains an acrosome vesicle, a structure containing chemicals that help the sperm penetrate the egg. Syntaxin helps promote release of these chemicals. The research portrayed here found that syntaxin is distributed in a punctate pattern in the sperm head. Study of acrosome vesicle release will help in improving techniques used for artificial reproduction and reducing male-factor infertility.
