Understanding the biology and function of gametes and embryos is crucial for the development of assisted reproductive techniques. During the course practical clinical scenarios, learning how to approach and resolve challenging cases will be discussed in an interactive format.
Target audience
Embryologists, lab technicians, clinicians
Programme
Session 1: Building a functional gamete
Cell biology basis of gamete building - Carlos Plancha, Portugal
The driving force of the oocyte in oogenesis and folliculogenesis - Helen M. Picton, United Kingdom
Session 2: What makes a good sperm?
From spermatogonia to spermatozoa: the metamorphosis of the male gamete, including what the sperm brings to the egg - Chris Barratt, United Kingdom
Discussion of clinical cases (e.g. KPI, immotile sperm, globozoospermia, insemination strategies etc.)
Session 3: What makes a good sperm?
Summary of the previous day - Chris Barratt, United Kingdom
Discussion of clinical cases (e.g. KPI, immotile sperm, globozoospermia, insemination strategies etc.) - Dean Morbeck, New Zealand
Session 4: How can we select the best cell?
Selection of spermatozoa for ART - Jackson Kirkman-Brown, United Kingdom
Selection of oocytes for ART - Gemma Arroyo Cardona, Spain
Session 5: Oocyte fertilisation
The choreography of fertilisation: new insights in sperm-egg recognition and fusion - Enrica Bianchi, United Kingdom
Fertilisation events as biomarkers of embryo quality - Giovanni Coticchio, Italy
Session 6: Embryo culture, selection and transfer
Time-lapse technology: current status and future prospects - Amy Barrie, United Kingdom
Artificial intelligence in ART: hype or hope? - Ioannis Sfontouris, Greece
Choosing the right day to transfer embryos - Mónica Marques, Portugal
Session 7: Embryo development and quality
Summary of the previous day - Dean Morbeck, New Zealand
Discussion of clinical cases (e.g. embryo selection, "strange" embryo development, use of time-lapse, AI.) - Dean Morbeck, New Zealand, Chris Barratt, United Kingdom
Session 8: Embryo genetics and metabolism
Genetics vs. environment- what drives embryo development? - Elpida Fragouli, United Kingdom
Embryo metabolism and interaction with culture media - Roger Sturmey, United Kingdom