Dr Hayden Homer inner page logo

Inner page logo for Dr Hayden Homer fertility clinic

Research

Prof Homer’s Research in the Media

Some of the results from Prof Homer’s ground-breaking research on reversing the effects of ageing in eggs was picked up by the Sydney Morning Herald after being presented at an international meeting on Ageing.

Prof Homer’s recent paper identifying a novel determinant of egg quality published in the highly prestigious journal, Nature Communications, was highlighted by UQ Media.

Current Research Positions

  1. Christopher Chen Chair in Reproductive Medicine
    UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland
  2. Director, Christopher Chen Oocyte Biology Research Laboratory
    UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland
  3. Head of Fertility Research Theme
    UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland
  4. Associate Editor
    The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

The Professor Christopher Chen Chair in Reproductive Medicine

Full Professorship is the highest academic ranking in a university. There are different types of Professorships. The most prestigious ones are the fully endowed Professorships (or “Chairs”) because they are funded for life, usually from a very generous personal donation. Two of the most famous professors in history, Isaac Newton and Stephen Hawking, held the endowed Lucasian Chair of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge.

Prof Homer holds the fully endowed Christopher Chen Chair in Reproductive Medicine at The University of Queensland. It is Australia’s first and only fully endowed Chair in Reproductive Medicine. The Christopher Chen Chair was made possible by a very generous donation from Professor Christopher Chen. Professor Chen is a Singaporean clinician and IVF pioneer who was the first person in the world to achieve a successful pregnancy from a frozen human egg in 1986. Because of Prof Chen’s generous donation, Prof Homer was able to set up Queensland’s first and only research laboratory dedicated to understanding egg quality and to developing novel fertility treatments.

Prof Homer’s Research Funding

Prof Homer is the only CREI-accredited sub-specialist in Queensland who holds research funding from the NHMRC as Lead Investigator (or CIA). These types of grants are the most difficult to obtain and are referred to as Category 1 funding. Altogether, Prof Homer has secured well over 4 million dollars in research funding.

Grants as Lead Investigator (CIA):

  1. NHMRC Development Grant 2017-2019, $445,827
  2. UQ Postgraduate Scholarship, Supervisor, 2018-2020, $50,000
  3. NHMRC Project Grant 2016-2018, $410,983
  4. NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarship, Supervisor, 2016-2017, $71,791.50
  5. NHMRC Project Grant 2015-2017, $515,615
  6. NHMRC Equipment Grant, 2015, $366,500
  7. UNSW MREII Grant 2014, $55,264
  8. Ramaciotti Establishment Grant 2014 – 2015, $75,000
  9. Wellcome Trust Intermediate Clinical Fellowship 2007-2012, $1.24 million
  10. WellBeing of Women Research Training Fellowship 2002-2004, $156,000

Grants as co-investigator:

  1. NHMRC Project Grant 2019-2020, $195,328
  2. UNSW MREII Grant 2015, $393,000
  3. UNSW MREII Grant 2015, $565,000

Prof Homer’s Prizes and Awards:

  1. Best Paper Prize, UCL’s 4th Annual Scientific Day 2008.
  2. Medical Research Society Young Investigator Award for Clinician Scientists 2007.
  3. RCOG William Blair-Bell Memorial Lectureship in Obstetrics and Gynaecology 2007.
  4. RCOG Blair Bell Society Prize 2005, First Place.
  5. RCOG Harold Malkin Prize 2005, First Place.
  6. Wellcome Trust Bio-Imaging Award 2005.
  7. Northern Deanery Trainees Prize 2004.
  8. K V Bailey Prize 2002/2003, North of England Obstetrical & Gynaecological Society.
  9. North of England Obstetrical & Gynaecological Society Prize 2002.
  10. British Fertility Society Best Young Clinician Prize 2002.
  11. Fertility Society of Australia Prize
  12. The Great British Research and R & D Show 2002.
  13. ORS Award 2001/2002.

Prof Homer’s Talks

Below is a list of the talks that Prof Homer has given since moving to Australia in 2014.

He has been invited to speak to GPs, specialists, medical students, CREI trainees, nurses, scientists and the general public.

  1. Managing Menopause
    Australian Medical Forum’s General Medicine & Acute Medicine Update Refresher, Brisbane, 2019
  2. Egg Quality and Fertility Preservation
    GP Masterclass in Reproductive Medicine Education, QFG, 2019
  3. The spindle shows its moves: polarising the oocyte for extreme asymmetric division
    Hunter Cell Biology Meeting Australia, Hunter Valley, 2019
  4. Dividing with extreme asymmetry
    Cell and Developmental Biology Meeting 2018 of the Australian and New Zealand Society for Cell and Developmental Biology (ANZSCDB) and the Brisbane Developmental Biology Group
  5. Can new developments in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) address current threats to fertility?
    27th Annual RBWH Healthcare Symposium, Brisbane
  6. Preconception and IVF – ensuring the healthiest start to conception
    UQ Health Matters Lecture Series 2018: Nature vs. Nurture – How the first 1000 Days affect lifelong health
    https://medicine.uq.edu.au/event/session/9381
  7. Is the PCO oocyte the same as a non-PCO oocyte?
    MSD SEED Meeting 2018: Simply the best! What makes a good oocyte and embryo?
  8. Challenges and interventions for improving egg quality
    Fertility Society of Australia MSD Symposium 2018: The ovary and oocytes in dialogue: Getting enough good eggs
  9. Fertility
    Metro North GP Alignment Program, Gynaecology Workshop, Herston, 2018
  10. Fertility & ART in the 21st century
    Fertility Nurses of Australia Annual Meeting 2018
  11. Career pathways in Obstetrics & Gynaecology
    UQ Medical Students Incision Research Seminar, 2018, Brisbane
  12. Recent Advances in Research in Fertility Medicine
    Advanced Centre for Reproductive Medicine Symposium on Advances in Reproductive Medicine, Singapore, 2017
  13. Fertility
    Metro North GP Alignment Program, Gynaecology Workshop, Caboolture, 2017
  14. The ART revolution: IVF now and in the future
    QFG GP Masterclass, Brisbane, 2017
  15. Female Fertility Preservation: Basic biology, new developments and clinical practice at RBWH
    RBWH O&G Grand Rounds, Brisbane, 2017
  16. Ageing of the oocyte
    QFG State Clinical Day, Brisbane, 2017
  17. Reversing the age-related decline in oocyte quality: can we turn back the clock?
    I.F.E. Clinical Update Meeting, Brisbane, 2017
  18. Oocyte Biology and Female Fertility
    University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research Seminar Series, 2017
  19. Oocyte Ageing and Female Fertility
    2nd Congress of Women & Children Medical Coalition of the Peninsula, Qingdao, China, 2017
  20. Abnormal Menstrual Disorders and PCO: Who, How, When?
    QFG GP Masterclass, Brisbane, 2017
  21. Folliculogenesis and Oocyte Activation
    Merck Serono CREI Trainees’ Workshop, Sydney, 2017
  22. Sirtuin regulation of meiotic maturation in oocytes
    Australian Biology of Ageing Conference, Sydney, 2016
    Covered by the media: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/fertility-improved-infertility-reversed-in-mice-promising-new-research-20160501-gojcoc.html
  23. UQ Global Leadership Series – Frontiers in Fertility, 2016
    https://alumni.uq.edu.au/event/3094/frontiers-fertility-treatment
  24. Determinants of Gamete Quality
    Society for Reproductive Biology, Annual Scientific Meeting, Gold Coast, 2016
  25. Reversing the age-related decline in oocyte quality
    Scientists in Reproductive Technology Annual Conference, Adelaide, 2016
  26. Reversing the age-related decline in oocyte quality: Can we turn back the clock?
    EVE Health Clinical Update Meeting, Brisbane, 2016
  27. Oocyte Biology
    Fertility Society of Australia Annual Meeting, 2015
  28. Sirtuin Regulation of Meiosis
    New South Wales Reproduction Forum, Sydney, 2015
  29. Molecular Regulation of Oocyte Quality
    University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research Seminar Series, 2015
  30. Oocyte Biology and the Mechanisms of Aneuploidy
    Merck Serono 14th CREI Trainees’ Workshop, Sydney, 2015
  31. Oocyte Maturation and Meiosis
    Frontiers in Reproductive Medicine 2015, Washington USA, 2014
  32. Oocyte Cell-Cycle Checkpoints and Spindle Function
    Kids Cancer Update, Sydney, 2014
  33. Kinetochore Regulation of Mammalian Oocyte Maturation
    Society for Reproductive Biology, Annual Scientific Meeting, Melbourne, 2014
  34. Oocyte Ageing: What is Involved?
    MSD Clinical Observation Programme for Fertility, Sydney, 2014
  35. Molecular Regulators of Oocyte Quality: In Search of Masters
    Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology Seminar Series, Sydney, 2014.
  36. Recurrent Implantation Failure
    Merck Serono 13th CREI Trainees’ Workshop, Sydney, 2014
  37. Molecular Regulators of Oocyte Quality
    Infection & Inflammation Research Group Seminar Series, Sydney, 2014
  38. Early Career Development: Coming out from under the wing
    Australian Centre for Perinatal Science – Game Changers in Perinatal Science, Sydney, 2014
  39. The control of meiosis in mammalian oocytes
    Fertility Society of Australia Annual Meeting, 2013

Prof Homer’s papers

Below are some of Prof Homer’s papers.

The “High Impact” papers listed first refer to the studies he published in some of the world’s most prestigious journals.

High Impact Publications (5 were recommended by Faculty of 1000 Experts):

(In my field, I am amongst the most highly cited by the Faculty of 1000)

  1. Wei, J. Greaney, C. Zhou and H. Homer*. Cdk1 inactivation induces post-anaphase-onset spindle migration and membrane protrusion required for extreme asymmetry in mouse oocytes. Nature Communications 2018; 9: 4029
  2. Gui and H. Homer*. Hec1-dependent cyclin B2 stabilisation regulates the G2-M transition and early prometaphase in mouse oocytes. Developmental Cell 2013; 25: 43-54.
  3. Gui and H. Homer*. SAC signalling is uncoupled from chromosomal position in mouse oocytes. Development 2012; 139: 1941-1946.
  4. H. Homer*, L. Gui, J. Carroll. A spindle assembly checkpoint protein functions in prophase I arrest and prometaphase progression. Science 2009; 326: 991-994.
  5. H. Homer**, A. McDougall, M. Levasseur, K. Yallop, A. Murdoch, and M. Herbert. Mad2 prevents aneuploidy and premature proteolysis of cyclin B and securin in mouse oocytes during meiosis I. Genes & Development 2005; 19: 202-207.
  6. Herbert, M. Levasseur, H. Homer, K. Yallop, A. Murdoch, and A. McDougall. Homologue disjunction in mouse oocytes requires proteolysis of securin and cyclin B1. Nature Cell Biology 2003; 5:1023-1025.

*denotes Senior Corresponding Author         **denotes Co-corresponding author

Other Selected Publications:
  1. H. Homer*. Pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A): The biology, the technology and the clinical outcomes. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology 2019 Feb 27. doi: 10.1111/ajo.12960
  2. J. Becherel, B.L. Fogel, S.I. Zeitlin, H. Samaratunga, J. Greaney, H. Homer, M.F. Lavin. Disruption of Spermatogenesis and Infertility in Ataxia with Oculomotor Apraxia Type 2 (AOA2). Cerebellum 2019 Feb 18. doi: 10.1007/s12311-019-01012-w.
  3. H. Homer*. Modern management of recurrent miscarriage. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology 2019; 59(1): 36-44.
  4. Greaney, Z. Wei & H. Homer*. Regulation of chromosome segregation in oocytes and the cellular basis for female meiotic errors. Human Reproduction Update 2018; 24: 135-161.
  5. Greaney, Z. Wei & H. Homer*. Immunofluorescence Staining of K-Fibers in Mouse Oocytes Using Cold Fixation. Methods in Molecular Biology 2018; 1818: 77-87.
  6. H. Homer, G.E. Rice & C. Salomon. Embryo- and endometrium-derived exosomes and their potential role in assisted reproductive treatments-liquid biopsies for endometrial receptivity. Placenta 2016 Dec 9. pii: S0143-4004(16)30658-0. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2016.12.011.
  7. Riepsamen, L.E. Wu, L. Lau, D. Listijono, W. Ledger, D.A. Sinclair and H. Homer* Nicotinamide impairs entry into and exit from meiosis I in mouse oocytes. PLoS One. 2015 May 4;10(5):e0126194. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126194.
  8. H. Homer*. How separated sisters get bad connections. Cell Cycle 2014;13: 1222-1223.
  9. Riris, P. Webster and H. Homer*. Digital multiplexed mRNA analysis of functionally important genes in single human oocytes and correlation of changes in transcript levels with oocyte protein expression. Fertility & Sterility 2014;101: 857-864.
  10. H. Homer*. The APC/C in female mammalian meiosis I. Reproduction 2013;146: R61-71.
  11. H. Homer*. Getting into and out of oocyte maturation. In: Trounson A, Gosden R and Eichenlaub-Ritter U, editors. Biology and Pathology of the Oocyte (2nd Edition). Cambridge University Press 2013; Chapter 11: 119-141.
  12. Riris, S. Cawood, L. Gui, P. Serhal and H. Homer*. Immunofluorescence staining of spindles, chromosomes and kinetochores in human oocytes. Methods in Molecular Biology 2013; 957: 179-187.
  13. Polanski, H. Homer & J.Z. Kubiak. Cyclin B in the mouse oocytes and embryos: lessons for human reproduction and aneuploidy. Results and Problems in Cell Differentiation 2012; 55: 69-91.
  14. H. Homer*. Infertility. In: Bassaw B, editor. Textbook of Gynaecology (In Press).
  15. Memtsa and H. Homer*. Complications Associated with Uterine Artery Embolisation for Fibroids. Obstetrics & Gynecology International 2012; doi:10.1155/2012/290542
  16. H. Homer* and E. Saridogan. Laparoscopic Myomectomy. In: Cutner A, Vyas S, editors. Laparoscopic Surgery for Benign Gynaecology. London: RCOG Press 2011; Chapter 10.
  17. H. Homer*. Evaluating spindle assembly checkpoint competence in mouse oocytes using immunoblotting. In: Li W, editor. Methods in Molecular Biology: Cell cycle checkpoints. USA: Humana Press 2011; 782: 33-45.
  18. H. Homer*. New insights into the genetic regulation of homologue disjunction in mammalian oocytes. In: Pellestor F, Delhanty J, editors. Cytogenetics & Genome Research 2011; 133 (2-4): 209-222.
  19. H. Homer* and A. Murdoch. Fertilisation to implantation. In: Shaw R, Luesely D, Monga A, editors. Gynaecology (Fourth Edition). Elsevier Press 2010; Chapter 19.
  20. H. Homer* and E. Saridogan. Uterine artery embolisation for fibroids is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage. Fertility and Sterility 2010; 94(1): 324-330.
  21. H. Homer* and M. Davies. The science and ethics of human admixed embryos. Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine 2009; 19: 235-239.
  22. H. Homer* and E. Saridogan. Pregnancy outcomes after uterine artery embolisation for fibroids. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2009; 11: 265-270.
    Press Releases:

    1. BBC release (16.10.2009): Warning over fibroids treatment. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8310263.stm)
    2. TOG release (15.10.2009): Uterine artery embolisation may adversely affect future pregnancies. (http://www.rcog.org.uk/news/tog-release-uterine-artery-embolisation-may-adversely-affect-future-pregnancies)
  23. H. Homer*. Ageing, aneuploidy and meiosis: eggs in a race against time. In: Hillard T, editor. The Yearbook of Obstetrics & Gynaecology – Volume 12. London: RCOG Press 2007; 139-158.
  24. H. Homer**, McDougall, M. Levasseur, A. Murdoch, and M. Herbert. Spindle assembly checkpoint dysfunction: a molecular correlate for human aneuploidy. British Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology 2006; 113: 858.
  25. H. Homer*. Mad2 and spindle assembly checkpoint function during meiosis I in mammalian oocytes. Histology & Histopathology 2006; 21: 873-886.
  26. H. Homer*, McDougall, M. Levasseur, A. Murdoch, and M. Herbert. Spindle assembly checkpoint dysfunction: A molecular correlate for human aneuploidy. Journal of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation 2006; 13: A336.
  27. H. Homer**, A. McDougall, M. Levasseur, K. Yallop, A. Murdoch, and M. Herbert. Mad2 is required for inhibiting securin and cyclin B degradation following spindle depolymerisation in meiosis I mouse oocytes. Reproduction 2006; 130:829-843.
  28. H. Homer*, M. Levasseur, A. McDougall, A. Murdoch, and M. Herbert. Post-transcriptional gene silencing in human oocytes: towards an understanding of human aneuploidy. Molecular Human Reproduction 2005; 11: 397-404.
  29. H. Homer*, A. McDougall, M. Levaseur, M. Herbert. Restaging the Spindle Assembly Checkpoint in Female Mammalian Meiosis I. Cell Cycle 2005; 4:650-653.
  30. H. Homer*, A. McDougall, A.P. Murdoch, M. Herbert. Female mammalian meiosis I possesses a spindle checkpoint. Journal of Experimental Botany 2001; 52:104.
  31. H. Homer*, A. McDougall, A.P. Murdoch, M. Herbert. Elucidating the mechanisms underlying mammalian meiotic non-disjunction: is the first meiotic division regulated by a spindle checkpoint? Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 2000; 25:9-10
  32. Herbert, H. Homer, M. Levasseur, A.P. Murdoch, A. McDougall. The onset of anaphase I of meiosis is dependent upon the destruction of cyclin B1. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 2000; 25:9.
  33. H. Homer, T. C. Li, I. D. Cooke. The septate uterus: a review of management and reproductive outcome. Fertility and Sterility 2000; 73:1-14.
  34. H. Homer, T. C. Li, I. D. Cooke. Clinical studies without patients: the septate uterus. Fertility and Sterility 2000; 74: 186.
  35. H. Homer(Editor) Methods in Molecular Biology: Mammalian Oocyte Regulation 2013. USA: Humana Press (part of the Springer publishing group).
    Prof Homer was also the sole invited Guest Editor for one of the world’s most sought-after Handbooks on Oocyte Research. The book includes 20 Chapters that have been contributed by the world’s top research laboratories. Protocols from the book have been downloaded well over 35,000 times.* denotes Senior Corresponding Author        ** denotes Co-corresponding author