The GW4 IVF Network invites all IVF experts and other researchers interested in fertility research to register to our one-day event on IVF research. This is launch event of the new GW4 network Fertility: In Vitro, in Silico, In Clinico and will bring together:
- Mathematical modellers, data analysis and AI researchers
- Experimentalists
- Clinicians
- Industrialists
- Policymakers
This will be a networking event like no other! The network's aim is to improve the success rates of In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) through interdisciplinary research and academia-clinic collaborations. Specifically, they will identify the key current IVF challenges and the people with the skills to tackle those challenges.
Plenary speakers include Giles Palmer (senior clinical embryologist, Exec. Director, International IVF Initiative) and Prof. Karl Swann (Chair of Reproductive Cell Biology, Cardiff University). There will be short talks by IVF experts, break-out sessions and informal networking. The possibility of giving a lighting talk and/or presenting a poster is available. A detailed programme will follow soon.
- The event will take place at the School of Mathematics, Cardiff University, Abacws, Senghennydd Road, Cardiff CF24 4AG on September 29th, 2023, 10am-5pm.
- The network have some funds for accommodation and travel. Priority will be given to researchers within the GW4 Alliance (Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter).
Please register by 19th September: https://forms.gle/tsUNtixANwVa9Sz76
Further information
The new GW4 network Fertility: In Vitro, in Silico, In Clinico brings together researchers from any discipline, experimentalists, clinicians and industrialists to tackle one of the largest socioeconomic challenges of the developed world: infertility.
They aim to improve the success rates of IVF, using interdisciplinary research where computational models, data science, and AI along with close collaboration with experimentalists and clinicians. A holistic, interdisciplinary, academia-clinic approach to IVF is more essential than ever to tackle IVF’s multiple and multifaceted challenges. The network intends to look at IVF from many angles - eggs, sperm, embryos. Some open challenges that are amenable to quantification, mathematical modelling, data analytics and AI are as follows:
1) Select the best egg/sperm/embryo
2) Freeze and thaw embryos without damage
3) Handle storage/freezing space
4) Transport eggs/sperm/embryos from other clinics/banks without damage
5) Automate clinical protocols (currently mostly manual)
6) Improve the infertility diagnosis pathway
7) Reduce pollution by IVF clinics – sustainability
8) Democratisation of IVF (same-sex couples, cancer patients, developing countries)
Through interdisciplinary, academia-clinic network activities we are going to discuss old and new IVF challenges in more detail and prioritise them in terms of feasibility and urgency. The network consists of academics from GW4 universities, other universities in the UK and abroad, many clinics and companies related to IVF. Working closely with all partners, we are going to devise a short-term plan and a long-term strategy for tackling IVF challenges in order to improve IVF success rates, reduce cost and improve patients’ wellbeing. Enhancing the effectiveness and accessibility of IVF treatment will improve the lives of thousands of infertile couples and their families.
The network are actively welcoming new members to join, from academia, clinic or industry. If you are not able to join the launch event but would still like to join the network get in touch (woolleyt1@cardiff.ac.uk and kaourik@cardiff.ac.uk).
