How androgens affect blood production

The research student project aims to elucidate the – understudied – nuanced effects of testosterone on hematopoiesis by employing cutting-edge single-cell RNA sequencing. By isolating and analyzing individual blood cells from experimental models exposed to varying testosterone levels, the student will gain a high-resolution view of gene expression patterns during hematopoietic differentiation and development. This single-cell approach will provide unprecedented insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying testosterone’s impact on different hematopoietic lineages, including its potential influence on lineage commitment, maturation, and immune cell function.

The findings from this study may shed light on sex-specific differences in hematological disorders and immune responses, advancing our understanding of how hormones like testosterone contribute to hematopoiesis and opening new avenues for precision medicine strategies.