Prof Swann studies Ca2+ signalling in eggs and fertilization. He discovered that sperm contain a protein that triggers Ca2+ oscillations at fertilization and he played a key role in identifying this factor as phospholipase Czeta. The first part of his talk will give an update on the mechanism of action of PLCzeta, and the potential use of PLCzeta protein in IVF treatments. He has also studied mitochondrial function in eggs. His lab has demonstrated increases in mitochondrial activity in mouse eggs during oocyte maturation and in response to Ca2+ oscillations at fertilization. He will discuss this work as well a new project on beta-oxidation of lipids in eggs.