Dr. Lei’s research focuses on ovarian reserve formation, maintenance, and its associated ovarian dysfunction and diseases. Our previous studies revealed that during ovarian reserve formation in mouse fetal ovaries, oocytes differentiate via intercellular transport of organelle & cytoplasm among interconnected sister germ cells. In the differentiated oocyte, enriched organelles organize into a Balbiani body (B-body). The B-body is involved in ovarian reserve maintenance in adult ovaries through RNA storage and translational regulation. Currently, we are investigating, in mice and humans, how disrupted ovarian reserve formation and maintenance cause defects in ovarian function and health, and cellular origins and microenvironment of ovarian cancer. The long-term goal of our research is to decipher genetic and environmental factor-caused ovarian dysfunction and diseases and to develop novel medical solutions for early detection and prevention of ovarian diseases.