Pisarska Research Lab Cedars-Sinai Skip to content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog English English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Translation is unavailable for Internet Explorer Cedars-Sinai Home 1-800-CEDARS-1 1-800-CEDARS-1 Close Find a Doctor Locations Programs & Services Health Library Patient & Visitors Community My CS-Link RESEARCH clear Go Close Navigation Links Academics Faculty Development Community Engagement Calendar Research Research Areas Research Labs Departments & Institutes Find Clinical Trials Research Cores Research Administration Basic Science Research Clinical & Translational Research Center (CTRC) Technology & Innovations News & Breakthroughs Education Graduate Medical Education Continuing Medical Education Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Professional Training Programs Medical Students Campus Life Office of the Dean Simulation Center Medical Library Program in the History of Medicine About Us All Education Programs Departments & Institutes Faculty Directory Pisarska Lab The Pisarska Laboratory is a reproductive biology laboratory with two major areas of focus: Ovarian Physiology We are conducting research to determine how the ovary functions and why some women experience premature oocyte and follicle depletion leading to premature ovarian failure. We have focused on a gene known as forkhead L2 (FOXL2) that, when mutated, leads to premature ovarian failure. We are also conducting research on how certain tumors of the ovary, specifically granulosa cell tumors, develop. Different types of FOXL2 mutations lead to granulosa cell tumor formation; we are trying to understand how different FOXL2 mutations alter granulosa cell function leading to tumor formation and follicle depletion. Molecular Determinants of Pregnancy Outcomes We are currently looking at the roles played by genetics and epigenetics in adverse pregnancy outcomes. Specifically, we are trying to determine if adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with infertility treatments are the result of the underlying infertility or the treatments used for conception. We are looking at factors that are differentially regulated early in pregnancy and implantation and trying to understand how these factors regulate early development and implantation and subsequent adverse pregnancy outcomes. We have expanded our studies to look at early changes during implantation that lead specifically to premature labor and delivery. These studies are being conducted in collaboration with the division of Maternal Fetal Medicine. The Pisarska Laboratory is affiliated with the Women's Health Services. Breakthrough Research Areas Ovarian Physiology Our research has looked at mutations in a gene encoding a forkhead transcription factor, forkhead L2 (FOXL2), which, when mutated, leads to premature ovarian failure (POF) in patients with blepharophimosis, ptosis, and epicanthus inversus syndrome. We have conducted a number of studies on the localization and functional characterization of FOXL2. Molecular Determinants of Pregnancy Outcomes We have already identified a number of genes that are differentially regulated in pregnancies conceived from couples with infertility compared to spontaneous conceptions. We have identified differences in a number of growth factors and transcription factors that may regulate early implantation, and we are currently studying their roles in early implantation. Internal Collaborations Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Division of Maternal and Fetal Medicine Goodarzi Laboratory Chrisandra Shufelt, MD Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center Meet Our Team Learn more about the scientists, faculty members, investigators and other healthcare professionals of the Pisarska Laboratory, whose dedicated efforts lead to groundbreaking discoveries. View Our Team Publications Uterine septum: a guideline. Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Fertil Steril. 2016 May 25. pii: S0015-0282(16)61281-5. Impact of fertility treatment on severe maternal morbidity. Wang ET, Ozimek JA, Greene N, Ramos L, Vyas N, Kilpatrick SJ, Pisarska MD. Fertil Steril. 2016 Aug;106(2):423-426 Predisposing factors to abnormal first trimester placentation and the impact on fetal outcomes. Kroener L, Wang ET, Pisarska MD. Semin Reprod Med. 2016 Jan;34(1):27-35. Contact the Pisarska Lab Pisarska Laboratory 8723 Alden Dr. Steven Spielberg Building, Room 303 Los Angeles, CA 90048 310-423-5763 Send A Message Mailing Address Pisarska Laboratory Cedars-Sinai 8635 West Third Street Suite 160 Los Angeles, CA 90048 Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility