Projects per year
Organization profile
Organisation profile
Basic aims of the Follicle Biology Laboratory, led by Prof. Ellen Anckaert are the design and validation of new culture systems for ovarian follicles and unripe egg cells to establish practical, applicable strategies for fertility clinics.
Fundamental and pre-clinical research:
1) optimization of multistep systems for in vitro follicle activation, growth and maturation: mouse in vitro models for culturing ovarian follicles allow for the study of culture conditions and factors that influence the development of the ovarian follicle and determine oocyte quality. These findings are of particular interest for translation into the field of oncofertility. Due to the accessibility to the different growth stages under in vitro situations, it also provides a suitable model for the study of basic aspects of oocyte and follicle biology at the cellular and molecular levels.
2) optimization of in vitro oocyte maturation (IVM) systems for cumulus-oocytes complexes derived from small antral follicles: IVM is a new ART method with minimal administration of hormones to the patient. The oocytes are picked-up from very small follicles and need a prolonged culture condition to be developmentally competent. Establishing these new culture conditions, tested first in the mouse model, are key to improve IVM results.
3) epigenetic safety of oocyte culture: FOBI aims to discover potentially harmful epigenetic effects of oocyte culture that might lead to reduced developmental competence and affect offspring health. Experiments are performed in a mouse model and on donated human oocytes and embryos from healthy volunteers and consenting patients. The developed assays can be used for testing epigenetic safety of culture media and drugs and for assessment of potential harmful effects of metabolic disturbances and xenobiotic substances.
Clinical activities
In vitro maturation (IVM) of human oocytes retrieved from small antral follicles in minimally or unstimulated cycles and cryopreservation of in vitro matured oocytes in cooperation with Prof. Michel De Vos (Brussels IVF, UZ Brussel).
Keywords
- fertility
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Network
Profiles
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Nazli Akin
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Pathology/molecular and cellular medicine - Scientific employee
- Follicle Biology
Person: Researcher
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Ellen Anckaert
- UZBrussel
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Pathology/molecular and cellular medicine - Academic
- Clinical Biology - UZB Physician
- Follicle Biology
Person: Researcher, Professor, Physician
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Katy Billooye
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Pathology/molecular and cellular medicine - Education/Research Officer
- Follicle Biology
Person: Researcher, Administrative/technical staff
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Berta Cava Cami
- UZBrussel
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Clinical Biology - UZB Researcher
- Pathology/molecular and cellular medicine - Doctoral scholarschip
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy
- Follicle Biology
Person: Researcher, PhD
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Michel De Vos
- UZBrussel
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Clinical sciences - Academic
- Follicle Biology
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine - Gynaecology - UZB Physician
Person: Researcher, Professor, Physician
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OZR3555: EUROVA : European Oocyte Biology Research Innovation Training Net (OZR EU bonus)
11/01/19 → 31/10/23
Project: Fundamental
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OZR3670: Polycystic ovarian syndrome: novel molecular characterization and personalized in vitro maturation protocol. (OZR EU BONUS)
1/04/20 → 31/12/22
Project: Fundamental
Research output
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Bioinformatic Analysis of Human Cumulus Cells to Unravel Cellular's Processes that Could Be Used to Establish Oocyte Quality Biomarkers with Clinical Application
von Mengden, L., De Bastiani, M. A., Grun, L. K., Barbé-Tuana, F., Adriaenssens, T., Smitz, J., Arruda, L. S., Link, C. A. & Klamt, F., Feb 2023, In: Reproductive Sciences. 30, 2, p. 642-655 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Genome-wide assessment of DNA methylation alterations induced by superovulation, sexual immaturity and in vitro follicle growth in mouse blastocysts
Saucedo-Cuevas, L., Ivanova, E., Herta, A-C., Krueger, F., Billooye, K., Smitz, J., Kelsey, G. & Anckaert, E., 16 Jan 2023, In: Clinical Epigenetics. 15, 1, 16 p., 9.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Impact of first chemotherapy exposure on follicle activation and survival in human cryopreserved ovarian tissue
Devos, M., Diaz Vidal, P., Bouziotis, J., Anckaert, E., Dolmans, M-M. & Demeestere, I., 1 Mar 2023, In: Human Reproduction. 38, 3, p. 408-420 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Inflammatory bowel disease meets fertility: A physician and patient survey
Vieujean, S., De Vos, M., D'Amico, F., Paridaens, K., Daftary, G., Dudkowiak, R., Peyrin-Biroulet, L. & Danese, S., 23 Jan 2023, In: Digestive and Liver Disease.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM): physiological basis and application to clinical practice
Gilchrist, R. B. & Smitz, J., 16 Feb 2023, In: Fertility and Sterility.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Activities
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Seminar Brussels IVF
Michel De Vos (Participant)
26 Jan 2023Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in workshop, seminar
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39th Annual meeting of ESHRE
Ellen Anckaert (Participant)
25 Jun 2023 → 28 Jun 2023Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in conference
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Follicle Biology (Organisational unit)
Ellen Goossens (Jury)
2023Activity: Membership › Member of PhD committee
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Reproduction, Genetics and Regenerative medicine (RGRG)-Cluster Monthly meetings
Hamide Yildirim (Organiser), Wafaa Essahib (Organiser), Nazli Akin (Organiser) & Aude Braye (Organiser)
2022 → …Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participating in or organizing a school event
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Lecture: "IVM of Oocytes for Fertility Preservation"
Michel De Vos (Invited speaker)
23 Feb 2022Activity: Talk or presentation › Talk or presentation at a workshop/seminar