Embryolab Academy held another successful international hands-on workshop on “Best Practices in Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT)”, on 7th & 8th December 2019, in Thessaloniki, Greece.
The aim of this workshop was to
• present an overview of the current state of genetic screening, biopsy techniques and every day challenges in a PGT program.
• offer expert hands-on training in Blastocyst biopsy technique, tubing, vitrification/warming of biopsied blastocysts and the interpretation of the genetic results.
• offer an insight in good clinical practice for a modern PGT program through Networking, interaction and discussion between experts and participants

For this 2-day workshop 36 scientists, clinical embryologists, gynecologists, geneticists and lab technicians travelled from 14 different countries, to improve their knowledge and understanding in recent advances on PGT and to be trained by a panel of internationally known PGT experts in Blastocyst biopsy, Vitrification and Tubing techniques.

It was a great honor for the organizing committee and members of Embryolab Academy to welcome all these scientists and receive their positive feedback.

Alexia Chatziparasidou, MSc, Sr. Clinical Embryologist, Embryolab Lab Director, Co-founder and Director of Embryolab Academy stated:” Each Embryolab Academy workshop is a unique learning experience for all of us! Scientist and experts are brought together, interact and openly discuss their daily concerns and challenges. Embryolab Academy provides a unique opportunity for education, training, interaction and networking while promoting science and daily practices!”.

Dr Nikos Christoforidis, MD, FRCOG, DFFP, Co-Founder and Board Member of Embryolab Academy, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Embryolab’s Clinical and Scientific Director, stated: “We focused on PGT on this occasion, as PGT is a complex genetic screening modality which requires a high degree of standardization in clinical and laboratory practice”.

Embryolab Academy endorses a 360 degree approach in all major fields of ART, with a view to engage all parties involved in the practice of ART and RM, recognise stakeholders, and address common issues from a global perspective.

Find below PGT Experts’ opinion, as take home messages:

“After 30 exciting years of history PGT promises us a future of great challenges and ethical dilemmas!”
Alexia Chatziparasidou, MSc, Sr. Clinical Embryologist, Embryolab Lab Director, Co-founder and Director of Embryolab Academy

“PGT requires a high degree of standardisation in clinical practice. An initial effort to establish the medical necessity is suggested with detailed counselling upon aspects of efficacy and safety. PGT-A remains a controversial screening method, mainly due to wide variations in case selection and lab practice variation.”
Nikos Christoforidis, MD,FRCOG,DFFP, Co-Founder and Board Member of Embryolab Academy, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Embryolab’s Clinical and Scientific Director

“PGT is strongly connected with difficult decisions, which are also jointed with individual’s ethics. Aristotle says, “You can only be happy by being ethical.”.”
Glykeria Samolada, Biologist , MSc, Cytogeneticist, ErGenetic Counsellor, Board Member of Embryolab Academy

“There is no Preimplantation Genetic Testing, without proper genetic tools!”
Giannis Papoulidis, MSc, ErCLG, Clinical Laboratory Geneticist

“Watch many videos, practice a lot, keep calm never give up!”
Martha Moysidou, MSc, Biologist, Clinical Embryologist, ESHRE certified, Deputy Laboratory Manager

“The fate, of each blastocyst you biopsy, is in your hands and your pipettes!”
Martha Moysidou

“One of the “PGT chain” links is the tubing. Make sure you won’t break the chain!”
Chara Oraiopoulou, MRes, Biologist, Clinical Embryologist, ESHRE certified

“Time-Lapse technology can become a useful tool for improved clinical outcomes in PGT cycles.”
Marianna Papadopoulou, Biologist, Clinical Embryologist, ESHRE certified

“First optimize your cryopreservation program, then start the setting up of the PGT program!”
Mary Karagianni, MSc, Biologist, Clinical Embryologist

“There is no successful PGT program without an optimized cryopreservation program!”
Mary Karagianni

“Interpretation of genetic results-genetic reports”: “Obtaining high quality data is only a part of a PGT laboratory process. Interpreting them is equally critical step!”
Giannis Papoulidis

“Never underestimate the value of numbers, they are telling you the truth!”
Alexia Chatziparasidou