Biopsy-free embryo imaging to spot chromosome problems
Live embryo imaging for biopsy-free aneuploidy detection
Creating a way to image embryos without a biopsy to find chromosome abnormalities for people using IVF.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11319852 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would get information about embryo chromosomes without taking a biopsy by using advanced live imaging and molecular signals. The team will build this approach first in mouse embryos to prove it can read whole-embryo chromosomal status and check safety. They will combine fluorescent single-molecule imaging with genomic techniques to map all chromosomes in early embryos. If successful, the method could be adapted for use in IVF clinics so embryos could be transferred sooner without freezing or biopsy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People undergoing IVF—especially those with advanced maternal age, prior pregnancy losses, or repeated implantation failures—would be the main candidates for this approach in the future.
Not a fit: People not using IVF, or whose infertility has causes unrelated to embryo chromosomes, are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This could let IVF patients get more accurate chromosome screening without embryo biopsy, lowering the risk of embryo harm and avoiding lengthy freezing and thawing.
How similar studies have performed: Existing non-invasive embryo screening methods have produced mixed results and this live single-molecule imaging approach is novel and largely untested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yu, Bo — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Yu, Bo
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.