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 (Centre for Reproductive Medicine, UZ Brussel).
Fingerprint
Network
Profiles
-
Nazli Akin
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Pathology/molecular and cellular medicine - Academic
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy
- Follicle Biology
Person: Researcher, PhD
-
Ellen Anckaert
- UZBrussel
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Pathology/molecular and cellular medicine - Academic
- Clinical Biology - UZB Physician
- Follicle Biology
Person: Researcher, Professor, Physician
-
Katy Billooye
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Pathology/molecular and cellular medicine - Education/Research Officer
- Follicle Biology
Person: Researcher, Administrative/technical staff
-
Berta Cava Cami
- UZBrussel
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Clinical Biology - UZB Researcher
- Pathology/molecular and cellular medicine - Academic
- Follicle Biology
Person: Researcher
-
Michel De Vos
- UZBrussel
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Clinical sciences - Academic
- Follicle Biology
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine - Gynaecology - UZB Physician
Person: Researcher, Professor, Physician
-
OZR3670: Polycystic ovarian syndrome: novel molecular characterization and personalized in vitro maturation protocol. (OZR EU BONUS)
1/04/20 → 31/12/22
Project: Fundamental
-
OZR3555: EUROVA : European Oocyte Biology Research Innovation Training Net (OZR EU bonus)
11/01/19 → 31/10/23
Project: Fundamental
Research output
-
Artificially prepared vitrified-warmed embryo transfer cycles are associated with an increased risk of pre-eclampsia
Roelens, C., Racca, A., Mackens, S., Van Landuyt, L., Buelinckx, L., Gucciardo, L., Tournaye, H., De Vos, M. & Blockeel, C., May 2022, In : Reproductive Biomedicine Online. 44, 5, p. 915-922 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
-
Biotin interference: evaluation of an updated thyroglobulin electrochemiluminescent immunoassay
Evenepoel, A., Schiettecatte, J., Van Dalem, A. & Anckaert, E., 27 Jan 2022, In : Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. 60, 2, p. e46-e49Research output: Contribution to journal › Letter
1 Citation (Scopus) -
Cumulative live birth rate after ovarian stimulation with freeze-all in women with polycystic ovaries: does the polycystic ovary syndrome phenotype have an impact?
Mackens, S., Drakopoulos, P., Moeykens, M. F., Mostinckx, L., Boudry, L., Segers, I., Tournaye, H., Blockeel, C. & De Vos, M., Mar 2022, In : Reproductive Biomedicine Online. 44, 3, p. 565-571 7 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
-
Effect of cumulin and super-GDF9 in standard and biphasic mouse IVM
Akin, N., Richani, D., Liao, X., Zhao, Y., Herta, A-C., Billooye, K., Stocker, W. A., Mottershead, D. G., Harrison, C. A., Smitz, J., Anckaert, E. & Gilchrist, R. B., Jan 2022, In : Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. 39, 1, p. 127-140 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
-
First live birth after fertility preservation using vitrification of oocytes in a woman with mosaic Turner syndrome
Strypstein, L., Van Moer, E., Nekkebroeck, J., Slegers, I., Tournaye, H., Demeestere, I., Dolmans, M-M., Verpoest, W. & De Vos, M., Feb 2022, In : Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. 39, 2, p. 543-549 7 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
1 Citation (Scopus)
Activities
-
Lecture: "Basics of fertility preservation"
Michel De Vos (Speaker)24 Mar 2022Activity: Talk or presentation › Talk or presentation at a workshop/seminar
-
Lecture: "Single women - is elective cryopreservation of oocytes for non-medical reasons an option?"
Michel De Vos (Invited speaker)18 Nov 2021Activity: Talk or presentation › Talk or presentation at a conference
-
Lecture: "Prise en charge des hyper-répondeuses"
Michel De Vos (Invited speaker)9 Jul 2021Activity: Talk or presentation › Talk or presentation at a workshop/seminar
-
LOK CRG UZ Brussel
Michel De Vos (Participant)27 May 2021Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in workshop, seminar
-
Lecture: "Cumulative live birth rate after a freeze-all approach in women with polycystic ovaries: does the PCOS phenotype have an impact?"
Michel De Vos (Invited speaker)30 Jun 2021Activity: Talk or presentation › Talk or presentation at a conference