WORDS: SARAH JOSEPH
THE FUTURE OF FERTILITY
IVF specialist, Dr Mari Mitrani shares how technolog y is making an impact Talk us through your background. I’m a physician scientist with extensive expertise in biological medicine and regenerative approaches to help improve my patients’ quality of life. I am currently the Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Gattaca Genomics, the most advanced and complete preimplantation genetic testing available for embryos. Previously, I Co-founded Organicell Regenerative Medicine, as well as the American Stem Cell & Anti-Aging Center, a pioneer in Autologous Stem Cell therapy in South America. I have been recognised as one of the ‘Top 100 Healthcare Leaders’ by IFAH for the COVID-19 therapeutic work, and most recently recognised for “Scientific Excellence” by the Academia Mundial de Terapia Neural Huneke for my contribution to science. Can you expand on what IVF is? Couples that are navigating through the fertility process through IVF (in vitro fertilisation) have an option now to test the genetic count of those fertilised embryos. Just a few cells are taken from the embryo and sent to our state-ofthe-art laboratory to analyse the gene components of those cells through Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). A final report is sent to the patients IVF doctor and the Genetic Counselor as well. Are there any specific advancements and techniques that have improved success rates? The IVF world has been advancing every year, thanks to hormone therapy to mature multiple eggs, quality/quantity control, embryo monitoring after fertilisation can now be done in a separate environment like a time-lapse embryo imaging system which
86 emirateswoman.com
allows the embryos to be kept in a controlled environment without disturbing them while the Embryologist receives high-definition images multiple times a day. Genetic testing for these embryos that are ready for implantation has also advanced to allow the experts to have more in-depth information about the genetic component and therefore allow the reproductive physician to decide which embryos to implant first. Furthermore, breakthroughs in cryopreservation techniques, like vitrification, have enhanced the preservation and storage of embryos and eggs, offering greater flexibility and success rates for patients. In your opinion, what are some of the most exciting developments or future possibilities in the IVF space? In my field, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) techniques, such as PGT-A for aneuploidy screening and PGTM for single gene disorders, has enabled more detailed information for embryo selection. This year, we are launching the next frontier of genetic analysis as we will be able to offer Whole Genome Sequencing, which will allow us to understand in-depth into the embryo’s genetic health. This will be very valuable for identifying many more risks of disease. As an advocate for fertility preservation, what options are available for individuals or couples who wish to preserve their fertility for the future? We have clear statistical data referring to maternal age and how it impacts the production of healthy eggs. Understanding that fertility and infertility is so multi-factorial, the one thing we really know is how to act in this specific characteristic. Now we know that after 35 years, women’s egg quality starts deteriorating rapidly year by year, and as a woman
BEAUTY
who cheers on other women to always pursue their dreams, I would say to always keep this cut-off time in the back of your mind. The possibility of freezing healthy eggs or embryos has a better impact for the future when couples are ready to start their family. Unfortunately, many couples or females wait until after this age to start their fertility journey and the doctors and science can only do so much. This is the one thing I would love to keep educating women all over the world about, your chances and decision of having a family in the future is possible if you act early on. Can you share any ongoing research or innovative techniques that you are currently involved in or excited about in the field of fertility treatment? Gattaca Whole Genome Sequencing is an embryonic genetic screen-