Meiosis is the critical process leading to formation of sperm and eggs. Errors that occur in meiosis, primarily those involving the proper behavior of chromosomes during this process, underlie birth defects, subfertility/sterility and failed pregnancies. This project studies the molecular identity of genetic quality control mechanisms called "checkpoints" that normally guard against production of defective eggs and sperm, and will delineate how these mechanisms function. We will exploit this knowledge to identify inhibitors of these checkpoints that can be used to protect the eggs of female cancer patients from chemotherapies that would otherwise destroy the eggs.