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Alpha Scientists in Reproductive Medicine

WELCOME to SCOPE

SCOPE will focus on a different topic each quarter, shedding light on the daily challenges, triumphs and unique experiences that only fellow ART laboratory professionals would understand.

We hope to bring the global embryology community together to stimulate thought-provoking discussions by sharing insights, tips and experiences.

Focus of the Quarter

Liquid nitrogen aluminum vacuum flasks, or Dewars, are commonly seen in IVF clinics where they are used for the storage of cryopreserved gametes and embryos. 
The term Dewar comes from the Scottish chemist and physicist, Sir James Dewar - which is why we use a capital D.  He invented the vacuum flask in the late 1800s during his cryogenics research, to minimise evaporation. 

 As scientists in reproductive medicine, we have a number of storage tank choices and also many different consumables for cryopreservation including straws, ampules, goblets, visitubes, cassettes, canes, beacons etc. But how compatible are these consumables with the typical storage Dewar? Some of the consumables we use are buoyant in liquid nitrogen and so we try to implement methods to prevent them escaping their specific storage location. Permanent and robust means of identifying samples are in place, but samples have been known to find their way to the bottom of the Dewar and need to be carefully retrieved. Other items like tweezers or forceps may also fall into Dewars during audit of other activities. 
How can we prevent this from happening?

What is the best way to retrieve samples or objects which have been misplaced in Dewars?

What’s your take?

Join us as we explore this important discussion and its potential impact on lab practices on our dedicated ALPHA LinkedIn page. Send your answers via the link below.

Results will be revealed in the next edition of SCOPE.

 HAVE YOUR SAY! 

Art of ARTists®

At ALPHA, we love celebrating the fusion of art and science! Our website showcases some of our favourite Art of ARTists®. We invite you to take a look, but also to share with us your vibrant and colourful images that put gametes, embryos or embryology at the heart of the composition. 

 View the Art of ARTists here 

In addition, we would like to announce our photography challenge! Have you ever noticed IVF-inspired shapes, patterns, or symbols in unexpected places? Whether it’s a building, decoration, or everyday object that sparks a connection to embryology in the lab - snap a photo and share it with us. Give your photo a caption and let us know where you took it - here are some examples from our Treasurer and ALPHA Ambassador!

Light of Hope; Udaipur, India October 2024 by Alison Campbell

Is this a blastocyst in my morning coffee? Barcelona, Spain 2025 by Sasha Sadowy

Catch our favourite #ARTintheWild moments in future editions of the ALPHA SCOPE

Sustainability Spotlight

Sustainability in the IVF lab ensures ethical, efficient, and environmentally responsible practices. To help save energy in the laboratory, consider checking your fridge door seals are tight and free of cracks or wear. Leaky seals cause the fridge to work harder to maintain cooler temperatures using more energy.
Read the article in the RMBO Journal - Sustainability in the IVF laboratory: recommendations of an expert panel

Keep Up With the Literature 

Stay ahead of the curve with the latest ground breaking research in Reproductive Medicine!

Check out the handpicked must-read papers from Reproductive BioMedicine Online (RBMO) that are shaping the future of IVF.

  • Use and understanding of AI in the ART laboratory: an international survey - Giles et al., 2024

  • Effort in manual operation of reproductive health cryostorage facilities - Alicia Broussard et al., 2024

  • Clinical outcomes of vitrified-warmed autologous oocyte cycles with 15-year follow-up at a single UK centre: consistent and predictable results - Jemma Garratt et al., 2025

Want full access? As an ALPHA member, you get full-access to RBMO, bypassing the paywall to stay updated on the latest scientific advances - ensuring you’re always informed with high-quality, up-to-date research.

Not a member yet? Join ALPHA today and unlock the science that drives progress in IVF!

On My Mind…

The Future of Clinical Embryology

As the field of clinical embryology moves toward increasingly AI-enabled and automated systems, a key consideration is how the role of embryologists will change. Beyond simply interpreting data points or following algorithmic recommendations, embryologists bring the nuanced judgment required to adapt protocols in real time, troubleshoot irregularities that automated platforms might overlook, and ensure that each step is in line with evolving ethical, regulatory, and patient-centered standards. These responsibilities, along with design input for AI and automated systems, quality control of lab processes, and strategic coordination of manual and automated procedures form the basis for the ongoing demand for well-trained professionals who can bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and individualized patient care. To navigate these shifts, embryologists of the future should acquire and develop skills in managing complex lab automation setups, stay conversant in data science and programming principles, and apply critical thinking to interpret AI outputs within a broader clinical context. Through this hybrid approach that allows for embracing technology while providing the in-depth understanding and human insight that AI cannot replicate (yet), embryologists will remain at the forefront of delivering safe, effective, and empathetic reproductive care for the foreseeable future.

Mina Alikani (President, ALPHA)

Mina Alikani, The Hague, The Netherlands, 2024. Photograph captured & interpreted by Jacques Cohen 

Alpha Scientists in Reproductive Medicine

Alpha Scientists in Reproductive Medicine, Suite 213 Boundary House, Boston Road, London , W7 2QE

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