Bryony J. Leeke

CRISPRa-mediated disentanglement of the Dux-MERVL axis in the 2C-like state, totipotency and cell death

The paper investigates the role of Dux and MERVL in ZGA, totipotency, and cell toxicity using CRISPRa and a 2C-GFP reporter system, finding that MERVL activation contributes to expanded fate potential but not all totipotency features, while Dux-induced toxicity is independent of MERVL and involves Noxa.

The exit of naïve pluripotency contains a lipid metabolism-induced checkpoint for genome integrity.

The paper identifies a lipid metabolism-induced checkpoint during the exit of naïve pluripotency that ensures genome integrity through telomere regulation.

Inhibition of cytosolic DNA sensing and transposon activity safeguards pluripotency

The paper identifies mechanisms that prevent innate immune activation by TE-derived cytosolic DNA, preserving pluripotency in ESCs.

Nucleolar-based Dux repression is essential for 2-cell stage exit

This study shows that nucleolar maturation and rRNA synthesis are required to repress Dux and exit the 2-cell stage in embryos.