Essential equipment: The biochemistry of the human embryo

Project Description

The Hull IVF Unit and Hull York Medical School work together closely to conduct research on human embryos in accordance with a HFEA Research licence. Together we have established good evidence of a link between prenatal obesity, especially in the mother, and maladaptation in the embryo, foetus and offspring. Research at Hull has already made a significant contribution to this understanding (e.g. Leary et al 2015) and has recently received major international funding to drive this research forward (Sturmey PI – ESHRE). This secured funding will be used to appoint a Post-Doctoral Fellow and to purchase reagents and consumables (September 2019- 2021). Additional funding has been awarded from The NIHR Research Design Service for Yorkshire and the Humber to improve public involvement in research. This grant will be used to recruit patients locally from the Hull IVF Unit and the Subfertility Clinic at the Hull Royal Infirmary to become members of a MHaRS Research Virtual steering group. Over the next two years the group will assist the research as it proceeds through the research cycle, from identifying research priorities through to dissemination of findings. Examples of the groups involvement will include a) a voice in the design of, and early review of our research proposals, b) reviewing the quality and standard of public materials (for example Patient Information Sheets) and c) reviewing results from our research as it progresses. By doing this, we hope to ensure that communications of findings are relevant not only to fellow scientists, but also women trying to become pregnant.