Description
Improving embryo diagnosis is currently an urgent need. Global population trends, along with birth and fertility rates in most industrialized countries, are showing a concerning decline. In 2024, Spain recorded a birth rate of just 6.5% and a fertility rate of 1.12 children per woman, well below the population replacement level [1].
One of the main factors contributing to this trend is delayed motherhood. Family planning is often postponed beyond the age of 35, a stage at which advanced maternal age is associated with reduced fertility, diminished ovarian reserve, and an increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities in embryos [2]. Together, these factors make natural conception more difficult and can compromise pregnancy development.
In this context, assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) have transformed reproductive medicine and have enabled the birth of more than 12 million children since 1978 [3]. However, success rates remain limited, ranging between 12% and 35% depending on patient age and clinical conditions [4].
One of the main limitations is the lack of accurate, non-invasive methods to assess embryo viability prior to implantation.
Our work focuses on improving embryo quality assessment through the study of early development. We apply advanced live imaging techniques in preimplantation embryos, first in mouse models and subsequently in humans.
Our goal is twofold. First, to identify the key cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate early embryonic development. Second, to develop new non-invasive strategies that allow accurate evaluation of embryo viability and quality.
Description
Improving embryo diagnosis is currently an urgent need. Global population trends, along with birth and fertility rates in most industrialized countries, are showing a concerning decline. In 2024, Spain recorded a birth rate of just 6.5% and a fertility rate of 1.12 children per woman, well below the population replacement level [1].
One of the main factors contributing to this trend is delayed motherhood. Family planning is often postponed beyond the age of 35, a stage at which advanced maternal age is associated with reduced fertility, diminished ovarian reserve, and an increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities in embryos [2]. Together, these factors make natural conception more difficult and can compromise pregnancy development.
In this context, assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) have transformed reproductive medicine and have enabled the birth of more than 12 million children since 1978 [3]. However, success rates remain limited, ranging between 12% and 35% depending on patient age and clinical conditions [4].
One of the main limitations is the lack of accurate, non-invasive methods to assess embryo viability prior to implantation.
Our work focuses on improving embryo quality assessment through the study of early development. We apply advanced live imaging techniques in preimplantation embryos, first in mouse models and subsequently in humans.
Our goal is twofold. First, to identify the key cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate early embryonic development. Second, to develop new non-invasive strategies that allow accurate evaluation of embryo viability and quality.
Team members
Nicolas Platcha, Ph.D.
External Consultant
Emilia Scharrig, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Main Publications
Capturing aberrant cell behaviors producing defects in human embryos via live imaging
Akizawa H, Domingo-Muelas A, Pardo-Figuerez M, et al. Capturing aberrant cell behaviors producing defects in human embryos via live imaging. Sci Adv. 2025;11(47):eady6402. doi:10.1126/sciadv.ady6402
Atlas of Human Embryo Development : Advances with New Imaging Technologies
Plachta N, Bissiere S. Atlas of Human Embryo Development: Advances with New Imaging Technologies. Routledge; 2024. https://www.routledge.com/Atlas-of-Human-Embryo-Development-Advances-with-New-Imaging-Technologies/Plachta-Bissiere/p/book/9781032751474
Human embryo live-imaging reveals nuclear DNA shedding during blastocyst expansion and biopsy
Domingo-Muelas A, Skory RM, Moverley AA, et al. Human embryo live imaging reveals nuclear DNA shedding during blastocyst expansion and biopsy. Cell. 2023;186(15):3166-3181.e18. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2023.06.003