Course 3

From genes to gestation

Organised by the Special Interest Group Early Pregnancy and Reproductive Genetics

Course Coordinators: Ole B. Christiansen (Denmark, SIG Early Pregnancy) and Stephane Viville (France, SIG Reproductive Genetics)

Course desciption: The course is basic to advanced.
The course will give an overview of which genes are known or believed to influence fertilization, embryo implantation and early embryo development before and after implantation. Potential pathophysiologic pathways linking genetics and abnormal fertilization, implantation and embryo development will be discussed. Consequences of the current knowledge in the management of infertility, implantation failure after ART and recurrent miscarriage will be reviewed

Target audience: Reproductive physicians, embryologists and basic scientists

Genetics of embryo fertilization and implantation

Chair: Stephane Viville (France)

09:00 – 9:30	Preparing embryonic development in male gametes / Bradley Cairns (USA)
09.30 - 09.45	Discussion
09.45 - 10.15	What do we know about genes affecting embryo implantation? / Nick Macklon (United Kingdom)
10.15 - 10.30	Discussion
10:30 – 11:00	Coffee break

Epigenetics and ART

11:00 – 11:30	What is epigenetics and how can it affect embryo development? / Jorn Walter (Germany)
11.30 - 11.45	Discussion
11:45 – 12:15	Small RNAs and control of retrotransposons during gametogenesis and early development / Martin Matzuk (USA)
12.15 - 12.30	Discussion
12:30 – 13:30	Lunch

Genetics and pregnancy

Chair: Ole Bjarne Christiansen (Denmark)

13:30 – 14:00	Chorionic gonadotropin beta-gene variants as a risk factor for recurrent miscarriages /Maris Laan (Estonia)
14.00 - 14.30	Genomic changes detected by array CGH in human embryos with developmental defects / Evica Rajcan-Separovic (Canada)
14.00 - 14.15	Discussion
14.15 - 14.45	Non invasive prenatal diagnosis using cell-free nucleic acids / Diana Bianchi (USA)
14.45 - 15.00	Discussion
15:00 – 15:30	Coffee break
15.30 - 16.00	Genetics of molar pragnancies / Rosemary Fisher (United Kingdom)
16.00 - 16.15	Discussion

Treatment of genetic abnormalities affecting reproduction

Chair: Mariette Goddijn (The Netherlands)