20240225_IVDi_M1_O1_D15_BF_20x_25ms

20240313_IVG_D11_M2_V1b_BF_10x_20ms_edited

Androgen receptor (green) in a human antral, ovarian follicle_edited

20240225_IVDi_M1_O1_D15_BF_20x_25ms

1/5

About HERA

Reproductive health in women has historically received far less research attention than other areas of biology, and we still know relatively little about how the ovaries age. Progress has been slowed by limited access to ovarian tissue and a lack of tools to study it properly.

HERA brings together large-scale human genetic studies with laboratory research in cells and animal models to uncover the biological processes that drive ovarian ageing. By using advanced techniques—including CRISPR gene editing, multi-omics analysis and large genetic datasets—we aim to identify the key genes and pathways involved in ovarian development, reproductive ageing and related diseases.

By linking genetic discoveries with experimental evidence, HERA will identify high-confidence targets for further research, support the development of future therapies, and share data, tools and findings with the scientific community through the HERA knowledge portal.

Latest Publications

PARP1 regulates establishment of the ovarian reserve and age at natural menopause

Menopause marks the end of fertility and is influenced by how many egg cells a woman is born with and how quickly they are lost. This study found that a common genetic change in a gene called PARP1 is linked to earlier menopause in over 200,000 women. The researchers showed that this variant reduces the number of early germ cells—the cells that eventually become eggs—by causing more of them to die. This helps explain why women carrying this genetic variant may have fewer germ cells and therefore reach menopause earlier.