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30 years of PGT-A: clinical impact, evolving utility, controversies and future directions in embryo selection

Precongress Course 8

SIG Reproductive Genetics  Special Interest Group Reproductive Genetics

 

Course coordinators
Efthymia Constantinou (Cyprus), Antonio Capalbo (Italy), Georgia Kakourou (Greece), Alberto Sola-Leyva (Sweden), Noemi Castellucio (Belgium), Josep Pla Victori (Spain)


Course type
Basic

Course description

This precongress course offers a comprehensive overview of three decades of Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A). It integrates historical perspective with a critical evaluation of current clinical applications, diagnostic validity and emerging innovations. The course will provide participants with up-to-date knowledge on methodological advances, practical implementation, ongoing controversies and ethical considerations related to expanding the role of PGT-A, including non-invasive techniques, multiomic profiling and genome-wide embryo analysis.

Educational needs and expected outcomes 

The course content has been prepared based on literature reviews on clinical efficacy and indications of PGT-A and recent international discussions regarding its limitations. Input was also gathered from professional networks involved in PGT-A testing to identify pressing knowledge gaps and challenges.

Derived Educational Needs:

  • Clarifying the current clinical evidence supporting or challenging PGT-A use
  • Identifying methodological limitations and diagnostic biases
  • Introduction to future directions

 

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the development and milestones of PGT-A over the past 30 years
  • Analyse the strengths, limitations and variability in current PGT-A practices globally
  • Recognise sources of implicit bias and the need for standardisation and validation
    Discuss the role and future potential of non-invasive, multiomics and AI-supported approaches
  • Appraise the implications of introducing whole genome and polygenic testing into clinical practice


Innovative aspects of the course

The event will explore innovations in PGT-A, including non-invasive testing, whole-genome embryo analysis, and AI-driven ploidy assessment. These technologies represent the future of reproductive genetics, preparing participants for next-generation embryo screening. The program emphasises a balanced, evidence-based approach, encouraging critical evaluation of emerging tools, challenging assumptions, and applying rigorous scientific standards in clinical decision-making and implementation.

 

Target audience
Geneticists, Embryologists, Reproductive specialists, Counsellors, PGT providers

Programme



Sunday 05 July 2026

From concept to application
Alan H. Handyside, United Kingdom
09:30 - 09:45
Discussion
09:45 - 10:15
Speaker
Sesh Kamal Sunkara, United Kingdom
10:15 - 10:30
Discussion
10:30 - 11:00
Coffee break
11:00 - 11:30
PGT-A as a tool for revealing the mechanisms of aneuploidy
Olga Tšuiko, Belgium
11:30 - 11:45
Discussion
11:45 - 12:15
The value of PGT-A in abnormally fertilized oocytes
Laura Francesca Rienzi, Italy
12:15 - 12:30
Discussion
12:30 - 13:30
Lunch break
13:30 - 14:00
Tracing the evolution of PGT through technological advances
Masoud Zamani Esteki, The Netherlands
14:00 - 14:15
Discussion
14:15 - 14:45
Uncovering bias: the call for evidence-based standards
Mina Popovic, Spain
14:45 - 15:00
Discussion
15:00 - 15:30
Coffee break
15:30 - 16:00
The Promise of niPGT and artificial intelligence in embryo selection
Carmen Rubio LLuesa, Spain
16:00 - 16:15
Discussion
16:15 - 16:45
Whole genome testing in embryos: What does this mean for PGT-A?
Antonio Capalbo, Italy
16:45 - 17:00
Wrap-up panel: what’s next for PGT-A? - Summary, Q&A, Discussion