Transforming IVF: Biophotonics Grant to Revolutionise Embryo Quality Selection

University of Adelaide early career researcher Dr Tiffany Tan has received a Berns-SPIE SPARK grant, aiming to improve the success rate of IVF through pushing the boundaries of reproductive technology.

Berns-SPIE SPARK grants are awarded to young research scientists who are using lasers and other optically based systems to study basic cell processes or to develop technologies to diagnose and/or treat diseases in an innovative way.

Dr Tan will receive US$100,000 (AUD$148,000) this year for her project A Novel Multimodal System to Improve the Success of Clinical IVF.

“The technology we currently use to assess the quality of embryos doesn’t give a full picture of its health,” said Dr Tan.

“With the support from this funding, we can refine our multimodal microscope system, allowing us to assess embryo quality more accurately and move one step closer to practical applications in IVF clinics.”

Dr Tan works within the Reproductive Success Group at the Robinson Research Institute (RRI), Centre of Light for Life (CLL), and the School of Biomedicine at the University of Adelaide.

Dr Tan has been mentored by Associate Professor Kylie Dunning of RRI and Professor Kishan Dholakia, Director of CLL.

“As a recipient of this prestigious grant, I am excited about the potential for our work to create a legacy in the field of biophotonics, paving the way towards developing a safe and accurate diagnostic method for embryo quality and ultimately improving IVF success,” said Dr Tan.

“Our goal is to develop a safe, accurate diagnostic system to evaluate embryo quality, ultimately improving IVF success rates. This could significantly reduce the financial, emotional, and physical burden on individuals going through the IVF process.”Dr Tiffany Tan, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide

Berns-SPIE SPARK grants are awarded in partnership between SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, with the Beckman Laser Institute to honour the institute founder, chairman and CEO Michael W. Berns, who passed away in 2022 after a career pioneering the use of laser technology in medical and biological research.

University of Adelaide Professor Anton Middelberg, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research), congratulated Dr Tan on receiving a Berns-SPIE SPARK grant.

“This work is a truly multidisciplinary collaboration, combining expertise from reproductive biology and physics, and involves researchers from the Centre of Light for Life and the Robinson Research Institute,” said Professor Middelberg.

“This project builds on the pioneering research of Dr Tan’s colleagues and will create better chances for those wanting to have children.”