Dr. Paula Cohen Delivers the 2025 Erwin Goldberg Lectureship
This year, CRS hosted its annual Erwin Goldberg Lectureship in Male Reproduction on February 28th, 2025. The Erwin Goldberg Lectureship celebrates pioneering work in male reproduction and was inspired by reproductive biologist and Northwestern emeritus professor Dr. Erwin “Erv” Goldberg. Dr. Goldberg himself kicked off the event by introducing this year’s speaker, Dr. Paula Cohen (Professor of Genetics and Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine). Since earning her PhD from the University of London, Dr. Cohen’s work has sought to expand the general understanding of the HPG axis, germ cell biology, genome integrity, and, more recently, mammalian meiosis. 
Dr. Cohen’s talk was entitled “Leveraging Male Meiosis to Understand Gene Regulation, Chromosome Biology, Assisted Reproduction, and Contraception.” Dr. Cohen detailed description chromosome movement and the intricate interactions that ensure proper segregation during meiosis. Dr. Cohen emphasized how the sex chromosomes—the X and Y—undergo special regulation during this process, given their unique structure and the challenge of pairing during meiosis. The efficient segregation of these chromosomes is vital for ensuring genome stability and preventing errors that could lead to infertility or birth defects.
Dr. Cohen highlighted the involvement of non-coding RNAs, particularly small RNAs, in regulating meiotic silencing. These small RNAs, including microRNAs and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), are crucial for regulating gene expression during spermatogenesis. Further, Dr. Cohen discussed the importance of these RNAs in silencing genes on the sex chromosomes that would otherwise disrupt proper meiotic progression. She revealed that these non-coding RNAs interact with Argonaute proteins, vital for stabilizing small RNAs and regulating gene expression an interaction critical for maintaining the integrity of the genome during meiosis, ensuring that the sex chromosomes are properly silenced and protected from retrotransposon activity. This insight into the role of small RNAs in regulating male meiosis was a key highlight of her talk, emphasizing the importance of non-coding RNAs in maintaining chromosome stability.
Dr. Cohen also discussed the potential for applying her research to improve assisted reproductive technologies (ART). She discussed how examining the chromosomal and genetic behaviors of sperm could help improve sperm quality assessments and refine ART techniques like in vitro fertilization (IVF). By identifying key molecular markers associated with successful sperm production and chromosomal integrity, clinicians could better predict fertility outcomes and tailor treatments to individual patients. This aspect of her talk highlighted the growing potential for precision medicine in reproductive health, where insights from meiotic research could directly inform clinical practices and improve patient care.
One of the most exciting aspects of Dr. Cohen’s lecture was her exploration of male contraception. She discussed the possibility of leveraging the mechanisms of male meiosis to develop reversible contraceptive methods for men. Dr. Cohen explained that targeting specific stages of meiosis, particularly those involved in chromosomal segregation and gene regulation, could provide a novel approach to male contraception potentially resulting in a temporary halt sperm production or render sperm non-functional without affecting overall health. This approach could offer men a non-hormonal and reversible contraceptive option, addressing the need for more male-centric birth control methods. The potential for such a breakthrough has profound implications not only for reproductive health but also for gender equality in contraception.
Dr. Paula Cohen’s lecture provided a comprehensive and detailed examination of male meiosis and she shed light on the complex molecular interactions that govern meiosis and offered new perspectives on how these processes could be leveraged to improve assisted reproduction and contraception. Dr. Cohen’s talk underscored the importance of understanding the underlying biology of male reproduction and highlighted the potential for meiotic research to drive innovations in fertility treatments and assisted reproductive technologies.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Paula Cohen for delivering this year’s Erwin Goldberg Lectureship in Male Reproduction and sharing her groundbreaking research. We look forward to seeing how her work continues to shape the field of reproductive science.