All about Vitrification – Virtual Course

Location

This course will be held at Virtual CooperSurgical Centre of Excellence

Course Type

One day Course

• Pre-Course Self-study module with self-assessment questionnaire to be completed before Course – 60 minutes
• 2 live modules of 90 minutes including lecturing and question taking
• 1 Module of 60 minutes including troubleshooting, questioning, and answering

Level

Intermediate – Advanced

Course Description

This course will outline the technical aspects of vitrification of oocytes, embryos, and blastocysts. The emphasis will be on examining different systems and the factors that may impact laboratory and clinical outcomes. As well as exploring optimization of vitrification and warming steps, the course will examine training, validation, and quality control together with traceability, storage, and management of the cryo-inventory.

This Virtual Course is part 1 of the ‘All about vitrification’ Course. Participation in Part 1, the Virtual Course is mandatory before enrolling in the Hands-on Course.

Course Objectives

• To learn about the principles of Cryobiology including a comparison of slow freezing and vitrification
• To learn about indications for vitrification (including vitrification and its role in a PGT program)
• To learn about the theory and practice of vitrification of oocytes, embryos, and blastocysts
• To learn about different vitrification systems
• To learn about optimizing cooling and warming protocols including volumes used in the protocols
• To learn how to validate, train and maintain consistent outcomes using KPI’s in vitrification
• To learn about traceability, storage conditions, and management of storage of the vitrified sample
• To have tips and tricks and troubleshooting
• Provide a forum to discuss best practices for vitrification and warming preparation, ICSI and vitrification as well as pH measurement of culture media.

Target Audience

Lab technicians, clinical embryologists, research scientists wishing to introduce vitrification as a new service or those seeking to optimize their outcomes

Educational needs and expected outcomes

The course aims to provide you with knowledge on:

• the cryobiological and technical aspects of vitrification of oocytes, embryos and blastocysts
• the different systems for vitrification
• factors influencing the results of your vitrification program
• setting up a, validation of, training in and maintaining quality in your vitrification program
• traceability, storage conditions and management of the cryostorage

Educational methods

• 1 Pre-Course Self-study Module with self-assessment
• Lectures
• Discussions
• Demonstration

Minimal expertise required for participation in the Course

The participants should have general embryology experience and practical experience in handling of oocytes and embryos.

Maximum number of participants

8-12 participants

Language

The official language of the course is English.

Certificate of attendance

Participants obtain a certificate of attendance after attending all modules and completing the Course evaluation at the end of the Course.

What’s included

• Attendance to the modules, lectures, exercises, and Q&A sessions
• Syllabus of the Course.
• Certificate of attendance after attendance of all modules and after completion of the evaluation of the Course

Fee

The course fee for participation in this course is EUR 200.