Project Title

Development of human embryo viability biomarker diagnostics for elective embryo transfer to improve pregnancy outcome: potential application in ART clinic

Web Abstract

To overcome human infertility, assisted reproductive technology (ART) is practiced in reproductive medicine sector. But, the live-birth rate is <15%. Among other causes, poor biological viability of transferrable-embryos to recipients contributes to early pregnancy loss. Hence, there is a need to assess quality-viability of embryos. One strategy is to develop a non-invasive approach by analyzing embryo-derived biomarkers in the spent medium. This project proposes to develop (i) targeted immuno-diagnostics, for HLA-G or/and ubiquitin as potential embryo quality-viability biomarker molecular diagnostics and (ii) non-targeted embryomics (proteome/metabolome) technology platforms for novel biomarker discovery with clinical-translational potential. A point-of-care molecular diagnostics could be implemented, as an adjunct to embryo-score criteria, practiced in ART-clinics. A retrospective correlative analysis will be performed between embryo biomarkers’ prediction potential and pregnancy outcomes. Project deliverables would benefit infertile couples in terms of clinicians-advised strategic medical choice, (b) improved live-birth rates and (d) substantial cost-savings during infertility treatments.