Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action ETN EUROVA

European Oocyte Biology Research Innovation Training Net (EUROVA)

Introduction

EurovaThe hallmark of successful mammalian reproduction is the fusion between a haploid spermatozoon and a metaphase II oocyte. The generation of such an oocyte involves a series of steps whereby germinal-vesicle oocytes (in which the nuclei are intact) at prophase I are stimulated to resume meiosis and mature to metaphase II, a sequence of events that prepares the oocyte for fertilization. Although the treatment of infertility by Assisted Reproduction Technologies (ART) has been increasingly successful, the efficiency remains low with only about 1 in 10 eggs retrieved from women undergoing infertility treatments healthy enough to produce a pregnancy and birth. In healthy fertile livestock species, where ARTs are applied for production purposes this number increases to 1 in 6 eggs retrieved, which is still remarkably inefficient. The greatest block to advancement, is the substantial lack of knowledge on the key regulatory checkpoints and processes that determine oocyte health. Such knowledge is key not just to treating infertility and maximising livestock genetic potential and productivity, but also to the field of regenerative medicine, where the reprogramming potential of the oocyte cytoplasm is critical to reprogramming somatic genomes. The EUROVA ETN will train a consolidate European Oocyte Biology Research, train a new cohort of Reproductive scientists and generate new knowledge. A deeper knowledge and understanding of the mechanisms set in place during the trajectory of oocyte growth, maturation, fertilization and oocyte to zygote transition will lead to innovations in ART, animal breeding, endangered species preservation, regenerative medicine and reproductive toxicology.

There are 10 participating Universities or companies from Ireland, Italy, Belgium, United Kingdom, Spain, France, Germany and Denmark, and 7 partner organisations from the Netherlands, France, Canada, Ireland, Spain, Brazil and the United Kingdom.

The coordinator is Prof. Trudee Fair from University College Dublin, Ireland.

The duration of the project is 48 months.


Basics

Given the centrality of the oocyte to reproduction, excellent basic oocyte biology research is essential to develop safe new therapies and interventions in ART, gamete storage and fertility enhancement therapies. Taking an innovative multi-disciplinary approach which integrates the expertise and technology platforms of the EUROVA Network members will execute novel experiments, intelligent data analysis and validation, with high potential for innovation. Deeper knowledge and understanding of the mechanisms set in place during the trajectory of oocyte growth, maturation, fertilization and oocyte to embryo transition will lead to innovations in ART, animal breeding, endangered species preservation, regenerative medicine and reproductive toxicology. The EUROVA ETN consolidates the complimentary expertise, data and technologies of research-intensive academic and private organisations from 8 European countries, representing 7 leading European Universities and 2 independent research institutes with a global perspective on education and research, 2 Industry Beneficiaries, 3 industry partner organisations (PO), and a Canadian and a Brazilian University (POs). The teams’ multidisciplinary backgrounds include expertise in cell biology, research and clinical ART, wildlife conservation, genetics, machine learning and artificial intelligence, microfluidics and design innovation. EUROVA will boost the innovation capacity in this sector in Europe, by training creative, adaptable, multi-skilled scientists, capable of addressing current and future problems


Objectives

These are the objectives of EUROVA. The overarching research aim of the EUROVA project is to integrate and interrogate conserved and species-specific molecular and metabolic pathways and checkpoints that characterize healthy mammalian oocyte development into a consolidated resource to improve and develop new fertility treatment tools.


Role of Ghent University

Ghent will be supervising two ESRs on oocyte maturation in vitro.  Ann Van Soom is also the WP4 leader : WP4 is dedicated to dissemination, communication and exploitation of the EUROVA project results and activities. To define and establish suitable communication and exploitation actions that EUROVA will undertake to ensure its success and sustainability

 

Website

To be announced

 

Contact

Prof. dr. Ann Van Soom
Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health
Phone number: 3292647550