Binyam Mogessie, PhD
Assistant Professor of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive SciencesCards
Appointments
Honors
- 6 International Awards
- 1 National Award
About
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Titles
Assistant Professor of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences
Biography
Binyam Mogessie is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at Yale University. His research focuses on the cytoskeletal and chromosomal mechanisms that ensure accurate chromosome segregation during oocyte meiosis and early embryogenesis, and their links to reproductive aging.
Originally from Ethiopia, he earned his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from Jacobs University Bremen in Germany. He completed his PhD in Cell Biology from the University of London, conducting research at the Marie Curie Research Institute in Surrey and the Centre for Mechanochemical Cell Biology in Warwick. His doctoral work examined how the microtubule cytoskeleton is organized during skeletal muscle differentiation and cell division.
As a postdoctoral researcher at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge and later at the Max Planck Institute in Göttingen, he discovered a novel role for the actin cytoskeleton in promoting accurate chromosome segregation during female meiosis.
In 2019, Dr. Mogessie established his independent laboratory at the University of Bristol as a Wellcome Trust and Royal Society Sir Henry Dale Fellow and HFSP Young Investigator. He joined Yale University in 2022, where his lab continues to study the molecular mechanisms of female meiosis, early embryogenesis, and reproductive longevity.
Appointments
Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
Assistant ProfessorPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Biochemistry, Quantitative Biology, Biophysics and Structural Biology (BQBS)
- Genomics, Genetics, and Epigenetics
- Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics and Development
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
- Plant Molecular Biology
- Yale Cancer Center
- Yale Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS)
- Yale Stem Cell Center
- Yale WRHR Advisory Committee
Education & Training
- Postdoctoral Fellow
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry (2017)
- Postdoctoral Fellow
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (2015)
- PhD
- University of London, Institute of Cancer Research, Cell Biology (2011)
- BSc
- Jacobs University Bremen, Biochemistry and Cell Biology (2007)
Research
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Overview
Medical Research Interests
ORCID
0000-0002-0702-6356- View Lab Website
Mogessie Lab
Research at a Glance
Publications Timeline
Research Interests
Oocytes
Meiosis
Microtubules
Chromosome Segregation
Cytoskeleton
Microtubule-Associated Proteins
Publications
2025
Cytoskeletal Organization and Dynamics in Female Meiosis and Early Embryogenesis
Rix A, Giannini F, van Eck H, Mogessie B. Cytoskeletal Organization and Dynamics in Female Meiosis and Early Embryogenesis. 2025, 1-15. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-97173-0_1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFemale meiosisEarly embryogenesisMicrotubule motor activityChromosome segregation errorsActin polymerizationMicrotubule cytoskeletonChromosome congressionCytoskeletal functionCytoskeletal organizationChromosome captureCytoskeletal structuresCell divisionPronuclear migrationSegregation errorsActinChromosomeMeiosisNuclear positivityVital processesEmbryogenesisZygotesAge-related lossLoss of cohesionCytoskeletonCytoskeletalIn preprints: rethinking the foundations of the ovarian reserve.
Rix A, Mogessie B. In preprints: rethinking the foundations of the ovarian reserve. Development 2025, 152 PMID: 40518981, PMCID: PMC12422402, DOI: 10.1242/dev.204939.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricThe retrotransposon-derived capsid genes PNMA1 and PNMA4 maintain reproductive capacity
Wood T, Henriques W, Cullen H, Romero M, Blengini C, Sarathy S, Sorkin J, Bekele H, Jin C, Kim S, Wang X, Laureau R, Chemiakine A, Khondker R, Isola J, Stout M, Gennarino V, Mogessie B, Jain D, Schindler K, Suh Y, Wiedenheft B, Berchowitz L. The retrotransposon-derived capsid genes PNMA1 and PNMA4 maintain reproductive capacity. Nature Aging 2025, 5: 765-779. PMID: 40263616, PMCID: PMC12180178, DOI: 10.1038/s43587-025-00852-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsGenome-wide association studiesTranscription factor MYBL1Gonadal tissueMale gonadal tissueRNA intermediateEvolutionary innovationHuman genomeAssociation studiesHost genomeProtein self-assemblyDevelopmental regulationCapsid geneCapsid-like structuresHuman cellsCapsid formationYears ago4,5RetrotransposonsGenomeSequenceGenesRNAReproductive capacityPNMA1Reproductive functionMouse model
2024
On the origin of mitosis-derived human embryo aneuploidy
Leem J, Gowett M, Bolarinwa S, Mogessie B. On the origin of mitosis-derived human embryo aneuploidy. Nature Communications 2024, 15: 10391. PMID: 39613785, PMCID: PMC11607320, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-54953-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetric
2023
Actin limits egg aneuploidies associated with female reproductive aging
Dunkley S, Mogessie B. Actin limits egg aneuploidies associated with female reproductive aging. Science Advances 2023, 9: eadc9161. PMID: 36662854, PMCID: PMC9858517, DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adc9161.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and Concepts
2022
O-162 Emerging mechanisms of oocyte genome integrity
Dunkley S, Mogessie B. O-162 Emerging mechanisms of oocyte genome integrity. Human Reproduction 2022, 37: deac105.072. DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac105.072.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSister chromatidsMammalian eggsPremature sister chromatid separationSeparation of sister chromatidsSister chromatid separationPremature separation of sister chromatidsEgg aneuploidyChromosome dynamicsCohesion proteinsOocyte genome integrityCentromeric cohesionGenome integrityF-actinChromatid separationProtein degradationCohesion lossChromatidFemale reproductive lifeProteinAneuploidyEggsPremature separationAdvanced microscopyPregnancy failureCytoskeletal form and function in mammalian oocytes and zygotes
Dunkley S, Scheffler K, Mogessie B. Cytoskeletal form and function in mammalian oocytes and zygotes. Current Opinion In Cell Biology 2022, 75: 102073. PMID: 35364486, DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2022.02.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsCytoskeletal formActin-microtubule interactionsReproductive cell biologyMammalian oocytesActin polymersMicrotubule cytoskeletonChromosome segregationChromosome structureF-actinSubcellular locationCytoskeletal systemSpindle self-organizationMammalian embryo developmentMicroscopy assaysCell biologyEmbryo developmentZygotesOocytesChromosomeAge-related changesCytoskeletalActinBiologyThe prophase oocyte nucleus is a homeostatic G-actin buffer
Scheffler K, Giannini F, Lemonnier T, Mogessie B. The prophase oocyte nucleus is a homeostatic G-actin buffer. Journal Of Cell Science 2022, 135: jcs259807. PMID: 35112707, PMCID: PMC8977058, DOI: 10.1242/jcs.259807.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsF-actin structuresF-actinNuclear F-actinOocyte nucleusF-actin organisationF-actin assemblyF-actin bundlesF-actin networkAssociated First Person interviewF-actin disruptionFirst Person interviewActin monomersG-actinChromatin mobilityJoint first authorsAge-related female infertilityMammalian eggsTrigger assemblyFemale reproductive agingMammalian oocytesReproductive ageGenetic disordersOocyte cytoplasmFemale infertilityAneuploid eggs
2021
Seeing is believing: Representation as a powerful tool in the fight against racism in science
Mogessie B. Seeing is believing: Representation as a powerful tool in the fight against racism in science. Cell Stem Cell 2021, 28: 793-795. PMID: 33961761, PMCID: PMC9760974, DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.04.017.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsTwo mechanisms drive pronuclear migration in mouse zygotes
Scheffler K, Uraji J, Jentoft I, Cavazza T, Mönnich E, Mogessie B, Schuh M. Two mechanisms drive pronuclear migration in mouse zygotes. Nature Communications 2021, 12: 841. PMID: 33547291, PMCID: PMC7864974, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21020-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsMeSH KeywordsActinsAnimalsCell NucleusFemaleFertilizationForminsGene Expression Regulation, DevelopmentalGenes, ReporterGreen Fluorescent ProteinsLuminescent ProteinsMaleMiceMice, Inbred C57BLMice, Inbred CBAMicrofilament ProteinsMicrotubulesMovementNerve Tissue ProteinsOocytesrab GTP-Binding ProteinsRed Fluorescent ProteinSpermatozoaZygoteConceptsFertilization coneDynein-dependent mannerNetwork of microtubulesFormin 2Fertilized mouse eggsParental genomesPaternal chromosomesParental chromosomesPronuclear migrationParental pronucleiMouse eggsMale pronucleusMouse zygotesFemale pronucleusChromosomePronucleusActinFertilized eggsPronucleiCell centreZygotes
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
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Activities
activity eLife
11/01/2020 - PresentJournal ServiceAssociate EditorDetailsReviewing Editoractivity Molecular Human Reproduction
08/01/2019 - PresentJournal ServiceAssociate EditorDetailsAssociate Editoractivity Trends in Cell Biology
2024 - PresentJournal ServiceEditorial Board Memberactivity Current Opinion in Cell Biology
2024 - PresentJournal ServiceEditorial Board Memberactivity American Society for Cell Biology
2025 - PresentProfessional OrganizationsCouncil Member
Honors
honor SSR Rising Star 2025
04/16/2025International AwardSociety for the Study of Reproductionhonor Pew Scholar
09/01/2024National AwardThe Pew Charitable Trustshonor Vallee Scholar
09/01/2024International AwardThe Vallee Foundationhonor Emerging Investigator Award
09/26/2023International AwardSociety for Reproduction and Fertility (SRF)DetailsUnited Kingdomhonor Young Investigator
07/01/2021International AwardHuman Frontier Science ProgramDetailsFrance
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A high-resolution confocal microscopy image showing discovery of nuclear actin filaments in mammalian oocytes
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Yale University
Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, 266 Whitney Avenue
New Haven, CT 06511
United States