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Colin Conine, PhD
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Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Neonatology & Newborn Services)
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Core Member, Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania
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Faculty, Penn Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
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Faculty, Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
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Scientist, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
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Investigator, Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
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Department: Pediatrics
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Graduate Group Affiliations
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Contact information
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University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
42 BRB II/III 1309, 421 Curie Blvd
Philadelphia, PA 19104
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42 BRB II/III 1309, 421 Curie Blvd
Philadelphia, PA 19104
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Lab: 215-573-1720
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Email:
conine@upenn.edu
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conine@upenn.edu
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Publications
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Education:
21 7 BS 19 (Biochemistry) c
30 University of Rochester, 2007.
21 8 PhD 2b (Molecular Biology and Genetics) c
43 University of Massachusetts Medical School, 2014.
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Permanent link21 7 BS 19 (Biochemistry) c
30 University of Rochester, 2007.
21 8 PhD 2b (Molecular Biology and Genetics) c
43 University of Massachusetts Medical School, 2014.
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4f The functions of small RNAs in fertility, inheritance, and development.
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73 Key words: RNA, sperm, embryogenesis, fertility, epigenetics, microRNAs, epididymis, extracellular vesicles
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19 Research Details:
31c We are particularly interested in how RNAs present in sperm are capable of transmitting non-genetic information to their progeny, influencing offspring phenotype. This includes, 1) how small RNAs regulate gene expression in the male germline to support spermatogenesis and fertility, 2) how small RNAs are packaged into mature sperm, 3) how RNAs transmitted during fertilization are able to regulate early embryonic gene expression and development, and 4) how this regulation can alter developmental programs to produce a non-genetically inherited phenotype. The lab utilizes a combination of state-of-the-art genomic, molecular biology, and assisted reproduction techniques across multiple model systems including mice, embryonic stem cells, and C. elegans to understand these questions.
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1a Rotation Projects:
6a The functions of sperm-transmitted small RNAs on embryonic gene expression and development in mice
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4b C. elegans as a model to understand paternal epigenetic inheritance
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56 Soma-to-germline communication of RNAs from the epididymis to sperm in mammals
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31 Conservation of sperm RNAs across species
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44 Novel imprinted genes in early embryonic development in mice
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6e The effect of assisted reproduction technologies (ART) on embryonic development and offspring phenotype
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Description of Research Expertise
24 Research Interests:4f The functions of small RNAs in fertility, inheritance, and development.
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73 Key words: RNA, sperm, embryogenesis, fertility, epigenetics, microRNAs, epididymis, extracellular vesicles
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19 Research Details:
31c We are particularly interested in how RNAs present in sperm are capable of transmitting non-genetic information to their progeny, influencing offspring phenotype. This includes, 1) how small RNAs regulate gene expression in the male germline to support spermatogenesis and fertility, 2) how small RNAs are packaged into mature sperm, 3) how RNAs transmitted during fertilization are able to regulate early embryonic gene expression and development, and 4) how this regulation can alter developmental programs to produce a non-genetically inherited phenotype. The lab utilizes a combination of state-of-the-art genomic, molecular biology, and assisted reproduction techniques across multiple model systems including mice, embryonic stem cells, and C. elegans to understand these questions.
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1a Rotation Projects:
6a The functions of sperm-transmitted small RNAs on embryonic gene expression and development in mice
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4b C. elegans as a model to understand paternal epigenetic inheritance
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56 Soma-to-germline communication of RNAs from the epididymis to sperm in mammals
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31 Conservation of sperm RNAs across species
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44 Novel imprinted genes in early embryonic development in mice
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6e The effect of assisted reproduction technologies (ART) on embryonic development and offspring phenotype
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dd Trigg NA, Lee GS, Leach AG, Conine CC.: Epididymal extracellular vesicles harbor and convey mRNA to sperm for transfer to zygotes. bioRxiv Aug 2025.
16d Galambos NS, Crocker OJ, Schneider BK, Allerton KS, Gross KE, Schneider AE, Lynch J, Yukselen O, Kucukural A, Conine CC.: tRNA-derived RNA processing in sperm transmits non-genetically inherited phenotypes to offspring in C. elegans. Res Sq Jun 2025 Notes: Under review Nature Communications.
e9 Lee GS, Trigg NA, Conine CC.: Protocol to assess the impact of sperm RNA on mouse preimplantation embryos using microinjection. STAR Protoc 6: 103772, Jun 2025.
f3 Trigg NA, Zhou SK, Harris JC, Lamonica MN, Nelson MA, Silverman MA, Kambayashi T, Conine CC.: A lack of commensal microbiota influences the male reproductive tract intergenerationally in mice. 62 Reproduction 169(4): e240204, March 2025 Notes: doi: 10.1530/REP-24-0204.
1de Trigg N, Schjenken JE, Martin JH, Skerrett-Byrne DA, Smyth SP, Bernstein IR, Anderson AL, Stanger SJ, Simpson ENA, Tomar A, Teperino R, Conine CC, De Iuliis GN, Roman SD, Bromfield EG, Dun MD, Eamens AL, Nixon B.: Subchronic elevation in ambient temperature drives alterations to the sperm epigenome and accelerates early embryonic development in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 121: e2409790121, Nov 2024.
11a Scacchetti A, Shields EJ, Trigg NA, Wilusz JE, Conine CC, Bonasio R.: A ligation-independent sequencing method reveals tRNA-derived RNAs with blocked 3' termini. Molecular Cell 84(19): 3843-3859, October 2024.
e6 Golden TN, Garifallou JP, Conine CC, Simmons RA.: The effect of intrauterine growth restriction on the developing pancreatic immune system. bioRxiv Sep 2024.
f3 Trigg, Natalie A., Conine, Colin C.: Epididymal acquired sperm microRNAs modify post-fertilization embryonic gene expression. Cell Reports 43(9): 114698, September 2024.
19d Harris JC, Trigg NA, Goshu B, Yokoyama Y, Dohnalová L, White EK, Harman A, Murga-Garrido SM, Ting-Chun Pan J, Bhanap P, Thaiss CA, Grice EA, Conine CC, Kambayashi T.: The microbiota and T cells non-genetically modulate inherited phenotypes transgenerationally. Cell Reports 43(4): 114029, April 2024 Notes: * Conine CC - co-corresponding.
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Selected Publications
131 Golden TN, Mani S, Linn RL, Leite R, Trigg NA, Wilson A, Anton L, Mainigi M, Conine CC, Kaufman BA, Strauss JF 3rd, Parry S, Simmons RA.: Extracellular Vesicles Alter Trophoblast Function in Pregnancies Complicated by COVID-19. J Extracell Vesicles. 2f 14(4): e70051, April 2025dd Trigg NA, Lee GS, Leach AG, Conine CC.: Epididymal extracellular vesicles harbor and convey mRNA to sperm for transfer to zygotes. bioRxiv Aug 2025.
16d Galambos NS, Crocker OJ, Schneider BK, Allerton KS, Gross KE, Schneider AE, Lynch J, Yukselen O, Kucukural A, Conine CC.: tRNA-derived RNA processing in sperm transmits non-genetically inherited phenotypes to offspring in C. elegans. Res Sq Jun 2025 Notes: Under review Nature Communications.
e9 Lee GS, Trigg NA, Conine CC.: Protocol to assess the impact of sperm RNA on mouse preimplantation embryos using microinjection. STAR Protoc 6: 103772, Jun 2025.
f3 Trigg NA, Zhou SK, Harris JC, Lamonica MN, Nelson MA, Silverman MA, Kambayashi T, Conine CC.: A lack of commensal microbiota influences the male reproductive tract intergenerationally in mice. 62 Reproduction 169(4): e240204, March 2025 Notes: doi: 10.1530/REP-24-0204.
1de Trigg N, Schjenken JE, Martin JH, Skerrett-Byrne DA, Smyth SP, Bernstein IR, Anderson AL, Stanger SJ, Simpson ENA, Tomar A, Teperino R, Conine CC, De Iuliis GN, Roman SD, Bromfield EG, Dun MD, Eamens AL, Nixon B.: Subchronic elevation in ambient temperature drives alterations to the sperm epigenome and accelerates early embryonic development in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 121: e2409790121, Nov 2024.
11a Scacchetti A, Shields EJ, Trigg NA, Wilusz JE, Conine CC, Bonasio R.: A ligation-independent sequencing method reveals tRNA-derived RNAs with blocked 3' termini. Molecular Cell 84(19): 3843-3859, October 2024.
e6 Golden TN, Garifallou JP, Conine CC, Simmons RA.: The effect of intrauterine growth restriction on the developing pancreatic immune system. bioRxiv Sep 2024.
f3 Trigg, Natalie A., Conine, Colin C.: Epididymal acquired sperm microRNAs modify post-fertilization embryonic gene expression. Cell Reports 43(9): 114698, September 2024.
19d Harris JC, Trigg NA, Goshu B, Yokoyama Y, Dohnalová L, White EK, Harman A, Murga-Garrido SM, Ting-Chun Pan J, Bhanap P, Thaiss CA, Grice EA, Conine CC, Kambayashi T.: The microbiota and T cells non-genetically modulate inherited phenotypes transgenerationally. Cell Reports 43(4): 114029, April 2024 Notes: * Conine CC - co-corresponding.
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