Professor Christopher Grupen
Chris Grupen is Head of the Gamete and Embryo Technologies Group at the University of Sydney’s School of Veterinary Science. Chris commenced his research career at the Reproductive Biotechnology Division of BresaGen Ltd in 1993, where he was a member of the team that produced the first cloned pigs in Australia. In 2002, he graduated with a PhD from Meiji University, Tokyo, for his studies on the artificial activation of porcine oocytes. After carrying out postdoctoral training at the University of Adelaide’s Research Centre for Reproductive Health, he joined the Animal Reproduction Group at the University of Sydney in 2006. Chris’ research journey has involved the study of gametes and embryos from numerous species, including pigs, sheep, cattle, horses and marmoset monkeys.
Chris’ research goals include increasing our understanding of the acquisition of oocyte quality, improving the efficiencies of systems used to produce and preserve embryos in vitro, and developing gene editing technologies in embryos of livestock species. His studies aim to enhance female fertility through the use of improved oocyte in vitro maturation conditions and dietary interventions, and preserve the genetics of rare and valuable animals by refining embryo vitrification procedures. His use of gene editing technologies focuses on producing large animal models for the study of human genetic diseases.
Chris’ teaching portfolio covers numerous aspects of mammalian reproductive biology, including reproductive endocrinology, artificial control of oestrous cycles, oogenesis, folliculogenesis, spermatogenesis, fertilisation, embryo development, sex differentiation, pregnancy, parturition and advanced reproductive technologies, with a focus on production animals. In 2008 he completed the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (Higher Education) at the University of Sydney. Chris has supervised 6 PhD and 3 Masters students to completion as their primary supervisor, and currently supervises 4 PhD students. In addition, he has supervised a total of 25 students undertaking their Honours research projects and over 70 final year veterinary interns undertaking the Advanced Reproductive Technologies elective that he coordinates.
Enhancing fertility for the Thoroughbred and Standardbred industries (ARC-Linkage)
Generation of a sheep model of Batten disease using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system (Batten Disease Support and Research Association)
Improving the early selection of replacement gilts: Assessment of ovarian hormones from 60 to 100 days of age (Australian Pork Limited)
Improving the quality of oocytes matured in vitro: Understanding the interactions of oocyte secreted factors
Member, Society for Reproductive Biology
Member, Reproductive Health Australia
Member, Sydney Institute of Agriculture
Associate Editor, Animal Science Journal
Editorial Board Member, Journal of Reproduction and Development
2004: The Society for Reproductive Biology TJ Robinson Travel Award
2007: Ian Potter Foundation Travel Award
2008: Contributing to Australian Science and Scholarship (CASS) Foundation Travel Award
2013: Australian Pork Limited Travel Award
2014: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Co-operative Research Program Fellowship
2017: The Society for Reproductive Biology Visiting Lecturer Award
Project title | Research student |
---|---|
Improving equine oocyte in vitro maturation to increase the efficiency of embryo production | Jenin Victor CORTEZ POLANCO |
Publications
Journals
- Cortez, J., Hardwicke, K., Grupen, C., Herrid, M., Machaty, Z., Vajta, G. (2024). Cloned Foal Born from Postmortem-Obtained Ear Sample Refrigerated for 5 Days Before Fibroblast Isolation and Decontamination of the Infected Monolayer Culture. Cellular Reprogramming, 26(1), 33-36. [More Information]
- Salvesen, H., Grupen, C., McFarlane, G. (2024). Tackling mosaicism in gene edited livestock. Frontiers in Animal Science, 5. [More Information]
- Cortez, J., Hardwicke, K., Cuervo-Arango, J., Grupen, C. (2023). Cloning horses by somatic cell nuclear transfer: Effects of oocyte source on development to foaling. Theriogenology, 203, 99-108. [More Information]
Conferences
- Bertoldo, M., Nadal-Desbarats, L., Gerard, N., Dubois, A., Harvey (Holyoake), P., Grupen, C. (2013). Effects of season and follicle size on the metabolomic profile of porcine follicular fluid. 9th International Conference on Pig Reproduction 2013, Poland.
- Bartolac, L., Grupen, C., Sjoblom, C. (2013). Maximising the post-thaw survival of vitrified, in vitro produced porcine embryos: A comparison of freezing devices, vitrification solutions and blastocoele presence. The Annual Scientific Meeting of the Endocrine Society of Australia and the Society for Reproductive Biology 2013.
- Lowe, J., Bathgate, R., Grupen, C. (2013). Stimulating lipid metabolism in porcine embryos: effect of L-carnitine in a sequential media system. The Annual Conference of the Australian Society for Reproductive Biology, Australia: Australian Society for Reproductive Biology.
2024
- Cortez, J., Hardwicke, K., Grupen, C., Herrid, M., Machaty, Z., Vajta, G. (2024). Cloned Foal Born from Postmortem-Obtained Ear Sample Refrigerated for 5 Days Before Fibroblast Isolation and Decontamination of the Infected Monolayer Culture. Cellular Reprogramming, 26(1), 33-36. [More Information]
- Salvesen, H., Grupen, C., McFarlane, G. (2024). Tackling mosaicism in gene edited livestock. Frontiers in Animal Science, 5. [More Information]
2023
- Cortez, J., Hardwicke, K., Cuervo-Arango, J., Grupen, C. (2023). Cloning horses by somatic cell nuclear transfer: Effects of oocyte source on development to foaling. Theriogenology, 203, 99-108. [More Information]
- Lawson, E., Tanwar, P., Ghosh, A., Blanch, V., Grupen, C., Aitken, J., Lim, R., Drury, H., Baker, M., Gibb, Z. (2023). Establishment and characterization of oviductal organoids from farm and companion animals†. Biology Of Reproduction, 108(6), 854-865. [More Information]
- Glencorse, D., Grupen, C., Bathgate, R. (2023). Vaginal and vestibular electrical resistance as an alternative marker for optimum timing of artificial insemination with liquid‑stored and frozen‑thawed spermatozoa in sows. Scientific Reports, 13, 1-9. [More Information]
2022
- Lawson, E., Grupen, C., Baker, M., Aitken, J., Swegen, A., Pollard, C., Gibb, Z. (2022). Conception and early pregnancy in the mare: lipidomics the unexplored frontier. Society of Reproduction and Fertility Supplement, 3(1), R1-R18. [More Information]
- Pollard, C., Younan, A., Swegen, A., Gibb, Z., Grupen, C. (2022). Insights into the NAD+ biosynthesis pathways involved during meiotic maturation and spindle formation in porcine oocytes. Journal of Reproduction and Development, 68(3), 216-224. [More Information]
- King, C., Osborn, D., Grupen, C. (2022). Multiple ovulation and embryo transfer in sheep: Effects of embryo developmental stage and quality on viability in vivo under farm conditions. Australian Veterinary Journal, 100(9), 451-458. [More Information]
2021
- Pollard, C., Gibb, Z., Swegen, A., Lawson, E., Grupen, C. (2021). Nicotinic acid supplementation at a supraphysiological dose increases the bioavailability of NAD+ precursors in mares. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, , 1-11. [More Information]
- Pollard, C., Gibb, Z., Hawdon, A., Swegen, A., Grupen, C. (2021). Supplementing media with nad+ precursors enhances the in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes. Journal of Reproduction and Development, 67(5), 319-326. [More Information]
2019
- Lowe, J., Bathgate, R., Grupen, C. (2019). Effect of carbohydrates on lipid metabolism during porcine oocyte IVM. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 31(3), 557-569. [More Information]
- Steel, A., Athorn, R., Grupen, C. (2019). Serum concentrations of AMH and E2 and ovarian and uterine traits in gilts. Animals, 9(10), 1-14. [More Information]
2018
- Steel, A., Athorn, R., Grupen, C. (2018). Anti-Mullerian hormone and Oestradiol as markers of future reproductive success in juvenile gilts. Animal Reproduction Science, 195, 197-206. [More Information]
- Bartolac, L., Lowe, J., Koustas, G., Grupen, C., Sjoblom, C. (2018). Effect of different penetrating and non-penetrating cryoprotectants and media temperature on the cryosurvival of vitrified in vitro produced porcine blastocysts. Animal Science Journal, 89(9), 1230-1239. [More Information]
- Swearman, H., Koustas, G., Knight, E., Liperis, G., Grupen, C., Sjoblom, C. (2018). pH: the silent variable significantly impacting meiotic spindle assembly in mouse oocytes. Reproductive BioMedicine Online, 37(3), 279-290. [More Information]
2017
- Lowe, J., Bartolac, L., Bathgate, R., Grupen, C. (2017). Cryotolerance of porcine blastocysts is improved by treating in vitro matured oocytes with L-carnitine prior to fertilization. Journal of Reproduction and Development, 63(3), 263-270. [More Information]
- Gibb, Z., Grupen, C., Maxwell, W., Morris, L. (2017). Field fertility of liquid stored and cryopreserved flow cytometrically sex-sorted stallion sperm. Equine Veterinary Journal, 49(1), 160-166. [More Information]
- Swegen, A., Grupen, C., Gibb, Z., Baker, M., de Ruijter-Villani, M., Smith, N., Stout, T., Aitken, J. (2017). From Peptide Masses to Pregnancy Maintenance: A Comprehensive Proteomic Analysis of The Early Equine Embryo Secretome, Blastocoel Fluid, and Capsule. Proteomics, 17(17-18), 1-13. [More Information]
2015
- Bartolac, L., Lowe, J., Koustas, G., Sjoblom, C., Grupen, C. (2015). A comparison of different vitrification devices and the effect of blastocoele collapse on the cryosurvival of in vitro produced porcine embryos. Journal of Reproduction and Development, 61(6), 525-531. [More Information]
- Aitken, J., Naumovski, N., Curry, B., Grupen, C., Gibb, Z., Aitken, R. (2015). Characterization of an L-Amino Acid Oxidase in Equine Spermatozoa. Biology Of Reproduction, 92(5), 1-13. [More Information]
- Grupen, C., Somfai, T., Kikuchi, K. (2015). EFFECT OF L-CARNITINE TREATMENT DURING OOCYTE MATURATION ON THE POST-THAW DEVELOPMENT OF PORCINE EMBRYOS VITRIFIED AT THE PRONUCLEAR STAGE. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 28(2), 53-53. [More Information]
2014
- Grupen, C. (2014). The evolution of porcine embryo invitro production. Theriogenology, 81(1), 24-37. [More Information]
2013
- Bertoldo, M., Nadal-Desbarats, L., Gerard, N., Dubois, A., Harvey (Holyoake), P., Grupen, C. (2013). Differences in the metabolomic signatures of porcine follicular fluid collection from environments associated with good and poor oocyte quality. Reproduction, 146(3), 221-231. [More Information]
- Gibb, Z., Morris, L., Maxwell, W., Grupen, C. (2013). Dimethyl formamide improves the postthaw characteristics of sex-sorted and nonsorted stallion sperm. Theriogenology, 79, 1027-1033. [More Information]
- Bertoldo, M., Nadal-Desbarats, L., Gerard, N., Dubois, A., Harvey (Holyoake), P., Grupen, C. (2013). Effects of season and follicle size on the metabolomic profile of porcine follicular fluid. 9th International Conference on Pig Reproduction 2013, Poland.
2012
- Bartolac, L., Grupen, C. (2012). Effect of pH buffer composition on the maintenance of porcine embryo viability during extended out-of-incubator culture. The Annual Scientific Meeting of the Endocrine Society of Australia and the Society for Reproductive Biology 2012, N/A: N/A.
- de Graaf, S., Grupen, C., Rickard, J., Bathgate, R., Mactier, S., Kohnke, B., Crossett, B., Maxwell, W., Christopherson, R., Druart, X. (2012). Identification of Membrane Glycoproteins of Ejaculated and Epididymal Boar Spermatozoa Using LC-MS/MS. The 2nd World Congress of Reproductive Biology, N/A: N/A.
- Gibb, Z., Grupen, C., Maxwell, W., Morris, L. (2012). Improvements in the Fertility of Cryopreserved, Sex-Sorted Stallion Sperm After Low-Dose Hysteroscopic Insemination. 38th Annual Meeting of the International Embryo Transfer Society, N/A: N/A.
2011
- Bertoldo, M., Holyoake, P., Evans, G., Grupen, C. (2011). Cumulus Cell Morphology Before and After In Vitro Maturation as an Indicator of Porcine Oocyte Developmental Competence. Annual Conference of the International Embryo Transfer 2010, Australia: CSIRO Publishing.
- Newman, R., Grupen, C., Downing, J., Wilkinson, S. (2011). Dietary n-6 PUFA and n-3 PUFA Have a Differential Effect on Gilt Litter Characteristics. Manipulating Pig Production XII, Australia: Australasian Pig Science Association.
- Harris, T., Grupen, C. (2011). Effect of Embryo Transfer Transport Conditions on the Viability of In Vitro -Produced Porcine Embryos. Australasian Pig Science Association, Werribee: Australian Pig Association.
2010
- Bertoldo, M., Holyoake, P., Grupen, C. (2010). DilutWean-to-Service Interval as an Indicator of Pregnancy Loss During the Seasonal Infertility Period in Pigs. Annual Conference of the Society for Reproduction and Fertility, N/A: N/A.
- Gibb, Z., Morris, L., Maxwell, W., Grupen, C. (2010). Dimethyl Formamide Improves the DNA Integrity and Motility of Sex-Sorted Cryopreserved Stallion Spermatozoa. 41st Annual Conference of the Society for Reproductive Biology, Australia: CSIRO Publishing.
- Bertoldo, M., Grupen, C., Thomson, P., Harvey (Holyoake), P. (2010). Improving reproductive performance in the farrowing shed: Identification of sow-specific risk factors for late pregnancy loss during seasonal infertility. Australian Association of Pig Veterinarians Conference AAPV 2009, Australia: Australian Association of Pig Veterinarians.
2009
- Newman, R., Yeung, K., Grupen, C., Thomson, P., Downing, J., Broek, D., Wilkinson, S. (2009). Dietary n-6 and n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty Acids (PUFA) Have a Differential Effect on Gilt Litter Characteristics. Australasian Pig Science Association, Werribee: Australian Pig Association.
- Bagg, M., Nottle, M., Armstrong, D., Grupen, C. (2009). Effect of follicle size and dibutyryl cAMP on the cAMP content and gap junctional communication of porcine prepubertal cumulusoocyte complexes during IVM. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 21, 796-804. [More Information]
- Grupen, C., Wilkinson, S., Downing, J., Newman, R. (2009). Effects of Dietary Fatty Acids on the Secretion of Metabolic Hormones and Ovarian Activity in Prepubertal Pigs. Manipulating Pig Production XII, Australia: Australasian Pig Science Association.
2008
- Beilby, K., Grupen, C., Maxwell, W., Evans, G. (2008). Difference in blastocyst developmental rates between embryos derived from sex-sorted and non-sorted ram sperm, both in vivo and in vitro. 1st General Gemini Conference 2008, Belgium: European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST).
- Gibb, Z., Morris, L., Grupen, C., Evans, G., Maxwell, W. (2008). Effect of protein source in stallion semen diluent on the motility, acrosome integrity and morphology of sperm. 16th International Congress on Animal Reproduction 2008, Germany: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.
- Bertoldo, M., Harvey (Holyoake), P., Evans, G., Grupen, C. (2008). Effect of season on sow ovarian morphology. 39th Annual Conference of the Society for Reproductive Biology 2008, Australia: CSIRO Publishing.
2007
- Beebe, L., McIlfatrick, S., Grupen, C., Boquest, A., Harrison, S., Faast, R., Ashman, R., Wengle, J., Hamilton, H., Nottle, M. (2007). A comparison of two in vitro maturation media for use with adult porcine oocytes for adult somatic cell nuclear transfer. Cloning and Stem Cells, 9(4), 564-570. [More Information]
- Grupen, C., Bagg, M. (2007). Acquisition of oocyte developmental competence in juvenile donors. 2007 Tsukuba Meeting for Animal Biotechnology (2007 TMAB).
- Grupen, C., Schulz, S., Armstrong, D. (2007). Distinct effects of follicular fluid on cumulus cell apoptosis and porcine oocyte developmental competence. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 19(1), 286-287.
2006
- Grupen, C., Gilchrist, R., Ritter, U., Schulz, S., Nayudu, P., Barry, M., Armstrong, D. (2006). An effective superovulation protocol for the marmoset monkey (Callithrix Jacchus). 2006 SRB Annual Scientific Conference.
- Bagg, M., Nottle, M., Grupen, C., Armstrong, D. (2006). Effect of dibutyryl cAMP on the cAMP content, meiotic progression, and developmental potential of in vitro matured pre-pubertal and adult pig oocytes. Molecular Reproduction and Development, 73(10), 1326-1332. [More Information]
- Grupen, C., Fung, M., Armstrong, D. (2006). Effects of milrinone and butyrolactone-I on porcine oocyte meiotic progression and developmental competence. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 18(3), 309-317. [More Information]
2005
- Beebe, L., Faast, R., Boquest, A., Grupen, C., Harrison, S., McIlfatrick, S., Hamilton, H., Wengle, J., Ashman, R., Nottle, M. (2005). A relatively efficient method for adult somatic cell nuclear transfer in pigs. VIIth International Conference on Pig Reproduction.
- Grupen, C., Gilchrist, R., Schulz, S., Ritter, L., Armstrong, D. (2005). Calcium ionophore induction of marmoset oocyte activation. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 17((Supplement)), 101.
- Bagg, M., Nottle, M., Armstrong, D., Grupen, C. (2005). Differences in pre-pubertal and adult oocyte developmental competence is correlated with oocyte cAMP content in the pig. The Society for the Study of Reproduction 38th Annual Meeting (SSR 2005), Kansas, USA: Allen Press Inc.
2004
- Harrison, S., Boquest, A., Grupen, C., Faast, R., Guildolin, A., Giannakis, C., Crocker, L., McIlfatrick, S., Ashman, R., Wengle, J., O'Connell, P., d'Apice, A., et al (2004). An Efficient Method for Producing α(1,3)-Galactosyltransferase Gene Knockout Pigs. Cloning and Stem Cells, 6(4), 327-331. [More Information]
- Bagg, M., Vassena, R., Papasso-Brambilla, E., Grupen, C., Armstrong, D., Gandolfi, F. (2004). Changes in ovarian, follicular and oocyte morphology immediately after the onset of puberty are not accompanied by an increase in oocyte developmental competence in the pig. Theriogenology, 62(6), 1003-1011. [More Information]
- Grupen, C., Scott, S., Gilchrist, R. (2004). Effects of animal pairing on marmoset sperm collected by penile vibratory stimulation. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 16(9), 263-263.
2003
- Grupen, C., McIlfatrick, S., Ashman, R., Nottle, M. (2003). Developmental competence of prepubertal and adult porcine oocytes, Theriogenology. Theriogenology, 59(1), 447.
- Grupen, C., Inumaru, S., McIlfatrick, S., Ashman, R., Nottle, M. (2003). Effect of GM-CSF on the in vitro development of porcine embryos,. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 15((Supplement)), 46.
- Brevini, T., Francisci, C., Vassena, R., Bagg, M., Grupen, C., Armstrong, D., Gandolfi, F. (2003). Follicular fluid concentration during pig IVM affects oocyte developmental competence and mitochondria distribution. Theriogenology, 59(1), 440.
2002
- Grupen, C., McIlfatrick, S., Ashman, R., Nottle, M. (2002). A comparison of staining methods used to determine numbers of cells in pig blastocysts. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 14((Supplement)), 14.
- Grupen, C., Nottle, M., Nagashima, H. (2002). Calcium release at fertilization: Artificially mimicking the oocyte's response to sperm. Journal of Reproduction and Development, 48(4), 313-333.
- Verma, P., Du, Z., Grupen, C., Crocker, L., McIlfatrick, S., Ashman, R., Lyons, I., Nottle, M. (2002). Development of porcine nuclear transfer embryos following post fusion enucleation. Theriogenology, 57, 454.
2001
- Nottle, M., Haskard, K., Verma, P., Du, Z., Grupen, C., McIlfatrick, S., Ashman, R., Harrison, S., Barlow, R., Wigley, P., Robinson, A., d'Apice, A., et al (2001). Effect of DNA concentration on transgenesis rates in mice and pigs. Transgenic Research, 10(6), 523-531.
- Mau, J., Grupen, C., Verma, P., Du, Z., McIlfatrick, S., Ashman, R., Nottle, M. (2001). MPF activity of porcine oocytes following electrical activation with and without 6-dimethylaminopurine. Theriogenology, 55, 457.
- Grupen, C., McIlfatrick, S., Nottle, M. (2001). Parthenogenetic development of IVM porcine oocytes - A comparison of artificial activation treatments. Theriogenology, 55, 452.
Selected Grants
2017
- Enhancing fertility for the Thoroughbred and Standardbred industries, Aitken R, Gibb Z, Baker M, Grupen C, Varner D, Morris L, Clulow J, Harricks R, Gharagozloo P, Field D, Kelly A, Australian Research Council (ARC)/Linkage Projects (LP)
2016
- Generation of a sheep model of Batten disease using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system, Tammen I, Grupen C, Batten Disease Support and Research Association, Australian Chapter/Research Support
In the media
Sydney Ideas – Genome editing: rewriting the code for life
https://soundcloud.com/sydney-ideas/genome-editing-rewriting-the-code-for-life