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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

Chairs
Noemi Castelluccio, Belgium
Chairperson to be announced
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
Antonio Capalbo, Italy
Josep Pla Victori, Spain
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
Eftychia Dimitriadou, Belgium
Alberto Sola-Leyva, Sweden
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
Mina Popovic, Spain
Efthymia Constantinou, Cyprus
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