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Fertilization and Activation of Development (GRS)

Gordon Research Seminar

The Basics of Gamete Biology and Early Development and Their Clinical Implications

July 22 - 23, 2023
Chairs Farners Amargant I Riera and Nicolas G. Brukman
Holderness School
33 Chapel Lane
Holderness, New Hampshire, United States
 Venue and Travel Information

Conference Description

The Fertilization and Activation of Development GRS provides a unique forum for young doctoral and post-doctoral researchers to present their work, discuss new methods, cutting edge ideas, and pre-published data, as well as to build collaborative relationships with their peers. Experienced mentors and trainee moderators will facilitate active participation in scientific discussion to allow all attendees to be engaged participants rather than spectators.

This meeting will bring together researchers who use diverse model organisms to understand the complexity of gametogenesis, fertilization and early embryo development. In addition, we will showcase basic research and methods that can be translated into new approaches to support the evolution of Assisted Reproductive Technologies, the contraceptive research field and other clinical applications.

Due to limited accommodations at this venue, guest housing is very limited. To request family/guest housing please reach out to your Conference Operations Associate.

Related Meeting

This GRS will be held in conjunction with the "Fertilization and Activation of Development" Gordon Research Conference (GRC). Those interested in attending both meetings must submit an application for the GRC in addition to an application for the GRS. Refer to the associated GRC program page for more information.

Conference Program

Saturday
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Arrival and Check-in
3:30 pm - 3:45 pm
Introductory Comments by GRC Staff / Welcome and Introduction from the Chairs
3:45 pm - 4:30 pm
Keynote Session: Molecular Changes in Eggs, Sperm, and Females that Mediate Fertility
Discussion Leader: Cecilia Blengini (Rutgers University, United States)
3:45 pm - 3:50 pm
Introduction by Discussion Leader
3:50 pm - 4:20 pm
Mariana Wolfner (Cornell University, United States)
"Molecular changes in eggs, sperm, and females that mediate fertility"
4:20 pm - 4:30 pm
Discussion
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Poster Session
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Dinner
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Approaches in Fertilization Research
Discussion Leader: Paula Balestrini (Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME)-CONICET, Argentina)
7:30 pm - 7:35 pm
Introduction by Discussion Leader
7:35 pm - 7:50 pm
Juan Ferreira (Washington University School of Medicine, United States)
"Intramitochondrial Calcium Increase: A Conserved Mechanism of Mitochondrial Activation in Human and Mouse Sperm During Capacitation"
7:50 pm - 7:55 pm
Discussion
7:55 pm - 8:10 pm
Virginia Savy (NIEHS, United States)
"Unlocking the secrets of calcium oscillations at fertilization"
8:10 pm - 8:15 pm
Discussion
8:15 pm - 8:30 pm
Jianwei Zeng (Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, United States)
"High-Resolution structures of sperm flagella"
8:30 pm - 8:35 pm
Discussion
8:35 pm - 8:50 pm
Tabea Lilian Marx (Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Germany)
"Revealing the secrets of ovulation"
8:50 pm - 8:55 pm
Discussion
8:55 pm - 9:10 pm
Wenzhe Li (University of California, Davis, United States)
"Anaphase B Spindle Elongation and Integrity in C.elegans Female Meiosis"
9:10 pm - 9:15 pm
Discussion
9:15 pm - 9:25 pm
Gillian Clouser (Yale University, United States)
"Targeting CatSper Extracellular Domains using Antibodies as Contraceptive Agents to Prevent Fertilization"
9:25 pm - 9:30 pm
Discussion
Sunday
7:30 am - 8:30 am
Breakfast
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Gamete Production and Function
Discussion Leader: Neha Gupta (University of Massachusetts, United States)
9:00 am - 9:05 am
Introduction by Discussion Leader
9:05 am - 9:20 am
William Lee (Thomas Jefferson University, United States)
"Molecular Basis for Maternal Inheritance of Human Mitochondrial DNA"
9:20 am - 9:25 am
Discussion
9:25 am - 9:40 am
Sara Pietroforte (EUVITRO SLU, Spain)
"Mitochondrial dynamics drive meiosis and contribute to the development of high quality human oocytes"
9:40 am - 9:45 am
Discussion
9:45 am - 10:00 am
Yuki Kaneda (Osaka university, Japan)
"Testis-specific F-box protein FBXTS1 plays an important role in mouse spermiogenesis"
10:00 am - 10:05 am
Discussion
10:05 am - 10:20 am
Martina Jabloñski (Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, CONICET - Argentina, Argentina)
"The helical structure of polymerized actin in the mouse sperm flagellum undergoes a structural change to cease motility at the time of sperm-egg fusion"
10:20 am - 10:25 am
Discussion
10:25 am - 10:40 am
Hiroki Akizawa (University of Massachusetts Amherst, United States)
"PLCD4 is the sperm factor required for Ca2+ oscillations in PLCZ-null mice."
10:40 am - 10:45 am
Discussion
10:45 am - 10:55 am
Lydia Wooldridge (The Jackson Laboratory, United States)
"Exploring Gamete (In)compatibility as a Cause of Subfertility"
10:55 am - 11:00 am
Discussion
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Poster Session
Coffee will be served in the poster area from 11:00 am - 11:30 am
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Lunch
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Mentorship Component: Hints to Boost your Career (Career Panel)
Discussion Leader: Shweta Bhagwat (Washington university in Saint Louis, United States)
1:30 pm - 1:40 pm
Travis Kent (NICHD, United States)
"Scientific Careers in Government"
1:40 pm - 1:45 pm
Discussion
1:45 pm - 1:55 pm
Deborah Frank (Washington University in St. Louis, United States)
"Careers in Scientific Editing and Research Development"
1:55 pm - 2:00 pm
Discussion
2:00 pm - 2:10 pm
Ravi Ravindranath (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), United States)
"NICHD Extramural Research Programs, Priorities, and Funding Opportunities"
2:10 pm - 2:15 pm
Discussion
2:15 pm - 2:25 pm
Nancy Gray (Gordon Research Conferences, United States)
"Coming Full Circle: Nonlinear Career Path Opportunities"
2:25 pm - 2:30 pm
Discussion
2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Evaluation Period
Complete the GRS Evaluation Forms; Election of Future Chair(s)
3:00 pm
Seminar Concludes

Contributors

Gordon Research Conferences
National Institutes of Health - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Male Contraceptive Initiative

Research reported in this publication was supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R13HD105414. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Conference Links

Conference History Fertilization and Activation of Development
Additional Fee Info

Fertilization and Activation of Development
July 27 - August 1, 2025


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