Introduction

Research in Reproductive Medicine

Our activity predominantly involves research in the field of Reproductive Medicine, with a particular focus on the fields of regenerative medicine concerning the endometrium and genomic studies on embryonic viability and endometrial receptivity, as well as other factors that cause infertility.

Our research lines include:

Basic studies used as a basis for acquiring new knowledge and paving the way for new related lines of research.

Translational projects such as clinical trials from the advances of the basic studies.

Clinical protocols that have immediate applicability both in the reproductive sector and in routine clinical practice.

Research Lines

Carlos Simón MD, PhD / Felipe Vilella, PhD

Study of endometrial receptivity

We discovered the transcriptomic signature of human endometrial receptivity.

Now, we are focusing on a new, minimally invasive procedure using single-cell analysis.

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Inmaculada Moreno, PhD

The endometrial microbiome in human reproduction

Our research group has described the existence of the endometrial microbiome and its clinical implications on the reproductive outcome.

We investigate the impact of uterine microbiome dysbiosis and its clinical impact.

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Felipe Vilella, PhD

Materno-embryonic communication

We have investigated how the mother communicates with the preimplantation embryo prior to implantation, and discovered that the maternal endometrium modifies the transcriptomics of the embryo in health and disease.

The language use in this dialogue is composed by extracellular vesicles, miRNA and DNA secreted by the endometrium to the endometrial fluid that is internalized by the embryo modifying its transcriptome.

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Xavier Santamaria MD, PhD

Adult stem cells in the human endometrium

We have identified the existence of human endometrial stem cells and have further clarified their origin from the endogenous source (endometrium) and from the bone marrow.

We have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of autologous bone marrow CD133+ stem cells in the treatment of non-curable endometrial pathologies such as Asherman’s syndrome or endometrial atrophy.

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Carmen Rubio, PhD

The embryo as the patient

Our previous clinical research has already shown the benefits of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) to increase live birth rates and decrease miscarriages and time to pregnancy.

Now, we aim to develop a non-invasive approach to identify euploid embryos for transfer by assessing the cell-free DNA secreted by the embryo without the need for embryo biopsy.

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Tamara Garrido, PhD

The maternal implication in the origin of pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia is an obstetric condition affecting 5% of all pregnancies, with high impact on mortality and morbidity of both mother and child.

Our research has provided evidence that endometrial decidualization resistance is implicated in the origin of this disease. This finding offers a new perspective based on the maternal contribution to gestation, aiming to develop a tool that will diagnose pre-eclampsia.

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Aymara Mas, PhD

Molecular diagnosis of myometrial tumors

Our previous work has demonstrated the genomic differential characterization of myomas and leiomyosarcomas.

We aim to shift the diagnostic and therapeutic focus of uterine leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas through genomic characterization.

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Felipe Vilella, PhD/Pradeep Reddy, PhD

Creation of artificial gametes by transdifferentiating human somatic cells

Creation of artificial gametes is a long-term goal in the field of infertility research.

Our lab has demonstrated the possibility of converting somatic cells into primordial germ cell-like cells by inducing the expression of germ cell genes.

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Collaborations

Some of the main collaborative projects with internationally-renowned centres include:

To promote the excellence and scientific leadership of this consolidated team, and pool efforts and technical resources, in 2017, the Igenomix Foundation entered into agreement with the University of Valencia and the Foundation of the Clinical Hospital of Valencia (INCLIVA) for the purpose of establishing the Collaborative Research Unit in Reproductive Medicine.

https://www.uv.es/uvweb/research-service/en/research-groups-1285947851930.html

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Study of the human endometrium at single-cell level, in collaboration with Professor Steven Quake from the Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, California, USA.

Study of the decidualization process in pre-eclampsia, with Dr. Susan Fisher from the Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Sciences, USCF (University of California San Francisco, California, USA).

Study of the origin of fetal diseases, in collaboration with Professor Guilliam Gibbons, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Baylor College, Texas, USA.

Study of transcriptomic modifications in human embryos produced by the miRNAs secreted by the maternal endometrium, in collaboration with Professor Barry Behr, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Stanford University, California, USA.

See our Research lines

Research on Reproductive Medicine, focusing on genomics,
bioinformatics and the factors that affect human reproduction.

See the research lines

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