ESHRE Webinar

organised by the ESHRE Special Interest Group Reproductive Genetics

Type

Basic

Learning objectives

This webinar series explores advancements in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) disorder research, focusing on strategies to prevent mtDNA mutation transmission. Topics include preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) and mitochondrial replacement therapies (MRT), covering scientific principles, clinical applications, and safety. Experts will discuss ethical, technical, and regulatory challenges while exploring future directions. Each session concludes with a live discussion, fostering expert engagement and dialogue.

Course description

This webinar series will explore the use of PGT and MRT as reproductive options for women carrying pathogenic mtDNA mutations, aiming to reduce disease transmission while enabling the birth of genetically related children. The series will highlight the technical, ethical, and safety challenges associated with these approaches. Discussions will emphasize the need for further research, long-term follow-up, and personalized care in reproductive medicine. The sessions will provide a comprehensive overview of these techniques, addressing key ethical, technical, and regulatory considerations, alongside the latest research developments in the field.

Target audience

Reproductive geneticists, genetic counsellors, gynaecologists, embryologists, researchers, bioethicists

Expected educational outcomes

By the end of this webinar series, participants will have gained:

- Insights into mtDNA inheritance patterns and how heteroplasmy affects disease transmission.
- Knowledge of current prevention strategies, including PGT and MRT, as well as their clinical relevance, challenges, and limitations.
- Awareness of the ethical, legal, and regulatory frameworks surrounding these technologies, and how they influence clinical practice.
- Insights into emerging research.

Programme

^{Please take the time zone differences into account. Times are shown in Central European Time (CEST)}

Practicalities

Participants will receive an e-mail with instructions on how to access the webinar (Zoom). Participants can obtain a certificate of attendance after watching the webinar on the eCampus platform. The recording will become available on the eCampus platform after the webinar took place. There will only be 500 places available to follow live.