George J. Watase

The paper identifies Indra as a negative regulator of rDNA copy number expansion in Drosophila by repressing RNA polymerase II-mediated rDNA transcription, which facilitates rDNA magnification through retrotransposon activity.

The paper shows non-random sister chromatid segregation maintains rDNA copy number in Drosophila germline stem cells, contributing to germline immortality.

This study shows that me31B prevents excessive dedifferentiation of spermatogonia into germline stem cells in Drosophila, maintaining stem cell homeostasis by regulating nos.

This study shows that rDNA copy number decreases with age in Drosophila male germline stem cells and is heritable but recoverable.