Welcome to the Department of Embryology and Genetics
The main objectives of our research department are firstly to deliver the best possible therapeutic options to patients suffering from genetic diseases or infertility or both, and secondly to understand the causes of infertility and genetic diseases. The Department of Embryology and Genetics (EMGE) is linked to the Centre for Medical Genetics, Centre for Reproductive Medicine and the Department of Paediatrics of the UZ Brussel and consists of several research clusters.
Three research groups are part of the EMGE:
The research group Reproduction and Genetics (REGE), focuses on human development and clinical genetics.
The research group Biology of the Testis (BITE), focuses on spermatogonial stem cells and spermatogenesis, and the possibilities for treating sterility caused by the loss or the lack of spermatogonial stem cells. A second research focus is the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) into functional male gametes.
The research group (FOBI) has developed in vitro systems to grow ovarian follicles and to mature oocytes. A current focus is the development of non-invasive technology for testing the oocyte's maturity and for the prediction of embryo quality.