Actualiteit

For a further year, the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) has summoned a broad group of specialists from Instituto Bernabeu to take part in their scientific round table discussions and debate groups concerning infertility at the largest reproductive medicine and embryology scientific conference held in 2019. Our clinic experts, who contributed their own scientific papers, have thus collaborated in the development of reproductive medicine for a further year.

The new Instituto Bernabeu Group newsletter is now available. Thanks to a flawless technical test and a highly regarded report, our embryo PGT-A (pre implantation genetic test) screening was awarded the top score.

Instituto Bernabeu and the University of Alicante (UA) will manage the 8^th edition of the Master's Course in Reproductive Medicine for the 2019-2020 academic year. The aim is to provide experts from the world of health sciences with excellent and comprehensive training in the field of reproductive medicine.

Students from the 7th Reproductive Medicine Master's Degree by University of Alicante (UA) and Instituto Bernabeu have concluded their 2018/2019 course with a closing ceremony held at the clinic's premises.

Next September 2019 will see a number of renowned, worldwide experts in the different reproductive medicine areas meet at Instituto Bernabeu's III International Meeting the Experts conference. This triennial event is aimed at sharing new fertility related developments and knowledge with the purpose of attaining a renewed approach concerning the most important challenges facing reproductive medicine.

Instituto Bernabeu undertakes vital healthcare work which is supplemented by its participation in congresses and both national and international events. One of this month's most relevant event took place in Cordoba. The 7^th SEF National Meeting of Groups of Interest was held on 7^th and 8^th June. Every two years, the Spanish Fertility Society brings together experts in assisted reproductive medicine in order to share updated ideas and make new contributions across various fields.

The genetics laboratory at Instituto Bernabeu has been awarded the highest possible mark in an assessment of its PGT-A genetics test by an external and independent European organism. The assessment was performed anonymously on 56 European laboratories. The PGT-A test assesses if the embryo is chromosomally normal or aneuploidy. It is recommended for women who are older when having children; women who have a background of recurrent pregnancy loss; and women who have suffered from implantation failure. This test is also recommended for couples who have chromosomal abnormalities.

Leading experts worldwide in the field of infertility will gather in Vienna in June. The event is unmissable for Instituto Bernabeu since the clinic will play an active role and will make research work developed by the clinic public. 

The new Instituto Bernabeu Group newsletter is now available. Our group will be actively present at the 35th edition of ESHRE in June. The scientific committee has accepted 9 clinical studies borne of the team of human resources at Instituto Bernabeu based on our research work that focuses on poor ovarian reserve and embryo implantation failure.

Dr Jorge Ten, Director of the Embryology Unit, participated in a gathering of specialists who debated the main trends in terms of techniques and protocols for treating patients who have a difficult prognosis.

The next 27^th and 28^th September will take place the 3^rd Edition of "Meeting the Experts", the international reproductive medicine conference organized by Instituto Bernabeu.

Instituto Bernabeu has participated in the first edition of the Master's Course in Primary Healthcare at the University Of Castilla La Mancha (UCLM) with an intervention on latest developments in the field of reproductive medicine. The specialist training course is aimed at general practitioners, resident doctors and nursing students and its objectives include increasing participants’ capacity to resolve most of the problems presented by patients who request appointments with their general practitioner, the most proximate level of healthcare. The Master's Course includes updates on the latest developments in terms of diagnosis and treatment in primary healthcare. It is for this reason that gynaecology and reproductive medicine play a significant role.

Leyre Herrero, our Head of Human Biology laboratory in Instituto Bernabeu Madrid, will lead a practical theoretical workshop this Thursday where the protocol Kitazato on vitrification and devitrification will be addressed. The training session will take place in Marbella at the HC International Hospital.

Instituto Bernabeu has been included as a Quality Clinic on the Autonomous Community of Valencia Official Register of Health Clinics. This means that the clinic has been included on the Autonomous Community of Valencia Register of Quality Certifications for Health Clinics, Services and Establishments. It covers, on the one hand, the ISO 9001:2015 certification that the clinic was awarded in January 2016 for ‘Provision of assisted reproduction clinic healthcare, gynaecology consultations and pregnancy control. Performing molecular biology, andrology laboratory, semen bank, oocyte bank and embryo bank activities.’ On the other, the Autonomous Community Register has added UNE-EN 179006:2013 for ‘Management of patient safety risks’, awarded in December 2015.

Research that was carried out by the Genetics Unit at Instituto Bernabeu Biotech and entitled ‘Mosaic segmental aneuploidies in trophectoderm cells do not affect pregnancy rates in cycles of in vitro fertilisation (IVF)’ has been selected as one of the best oral presentations at the 2^nd Human Genetics Interdisciplinary Congress held in Madrid between 3^rd and 5^th April 2019.

The Genetics Department at Instituto Bernabeu was present at the 18^th International Conference on pre-implantation genetics organised by the Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis International Society (PGDIS) and held in Geneva (Switzerland) between 15^th and 18^th April. Leading experts in reproductive biology, genetics and embryology met at the event which addressed development of pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) technology.

Medical Co-Director of Instituto Bernabeu, Dr Joaquín Llácer, and Dr Paolo Cirillo participated in the 2^nd National Congress of the Reproductive Medicine Foundation of Italy (PMA) held in Florence on 21^st and 22^nd March. Dr Llácer, an expert in poor ovarian reserve, gave a conference delivered to specialists in assisted reproduction that addressed the ‘Challenges of treating patients with poor ovarian response.’ 

Instituto Bernabeu participated in the 20^th Human Reproduction Event held in Cuenca on 21^st and 22^nd March and organised by the European Fertility Institute. Reproductive medicine professionals from clinics in Madrid attended the event. The Head of the In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) Laboratory at Instituto Bernabeu in Madrid and Instituto Bernabeu biologist, Iván Ochando, attended the event where participants discussed, debated and were updated on matters within the field of assisted human reproduction.

Instituto Bernabeu in Albacete participated in the Gynaecological Ultrasound Scan Workshop organised by the University of Castilla La Mancha within the framework of its Master's Course in Primary Healthcare. María Antonia López Rubio, a doctor at the clinic in Albacete, was responsible for teaching some of the finer details of clinical practice at Instituto Bernabeu to students on the specialist training course.

The Scientific Director of Instituto Bernabeu Biotech, Dr Belén Lledó, gave a conference entitled ‘The importance of genetics in early diagnosis’ within the framework of the 1st Scientific Event ‘Understanding Disability: the importance of early diagnosis in intellectual disability and neurodevelopmental disorders’ held at Miguel Hernández University (UMH) in Elche. The gathering was organised by the Tempe/ASPA Disability and Employability Chair at UMH. Dr José Antonio Ortiz, Head of the Molecular Biology Department at Instituto Bernabeu, was also present and moderated the lecture.

The congress sponsored by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and the world’s most important gathering for experts in the field has selected three doctors from Instituto Bernabeu for the role of scientific research reviewers. The reproductive medicine clinic participates annually in this essential gathering for leading researchers in the field of fertility by presenting scientific research on infertility, genetics and embryology, amongst others. Furthermore, Medical Co-Director of Instituto Bernabeu, Dr Joaquín Llácer, is a spokesperson on the society’s committee of representatives and the Spanish specialists’ representative at ESHRE until 2020.

The Manager of the Embryology Unit at Instituto Bernabeu, Dr Jorge Ten, gave a lecture on the Master’s Course in Human Reproduction organised by Complutense University in Madrid (UCM) and the Spanish Fertility Society (SEF).

Instituto Bernabeu's gyneacologists specialised in reproductive medicine, participated in the course on Treatment of the Sterile Partner that was held on 1^st March in the Madrid headquarters of the Spanish Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (SEGO). The training course is for gynaecologists who are interested in reproductive medicine. It is organised by the Sterility and Infertility section at SEGO and Dr Rafael Bernabeu, Vice President of SEISEGO, addressed the issue of diagnostic guidance.

Instituto Bernabeu in Albacete is actively involved in the community in Castilla La Mancha. Its work includes talks, workshops and courses in which staff from the reproductive medicine clinic participate. Instituto Bernabeu researchers collaborate and participate in the training courses for future specialists and they help to teach them the techniques and processes that are used in reproductive medicine.

In February, Dr Joaquín Llácer, our Medical Co-Director, participated in two events aimed at reproductive medicine specialists. On 2^nd February in the 3^rd Galician and Portuguese Event on Assisted Reproduction, the gynaecologist who specialises in poor ovarian response gave a presentation addressing demeanour when dealing with patients who have a poor assisted reproduction prognosis. Spanish and Portuguese specialists gathered at the event in order to address legislative challenges, the challenges faced by reproductive medicine and some of the field’s ethical debates.

Human Reproduction, a scientific journal, has published research work carried out by Instituto Bernabeu that examines whether or not the number of mitochondrial DNA copies (mtDNA) in human embryos can affect pregnancy rates. The clinic is the first to have performed a comprehensive study of embryo mtDNA linked to IVF results analysing the quantity and quality of the mtDNA.

We have launched a new issue of Instituto Bernabeu corporate newsletter "IB Newsletter". Pregnancy and childbirth guarantee programme or 100% reimbursment.

Instituto Bernabeu research has looked into reducing uterine hypercontractility prior to embryo transfer and if administering Atosiban helps patients with this issue.  The results of the research work entitled ‘Treatment of uterine hypercontractility with Atosiban during embryo transfer’ were presented at the 1^st National Congress of the Spanish Infertility and Sterility Society (SEISEGO).

Instituto Bernabeu researchers have presented experience of a clinical case that describes uterine incarceration, a very infrequent complication during pregnancy. They gave their presentation at the 1^st National Congress of the Spanish Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (SEISEGO) that was held within the framework of the Spanish Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics Congress (SEGO). Uterine incarceration occurs during pregnancy when the uterus becomes wedged into the pelvis. There are very few available described cases of this complex and serious condition that is difficult to diagnosis. As such, this study is a very valuable contribution towards improving our understanding of it and advising medical staff about when the symptoms arise.

Dr Rafael Bernabeu, Medical Director at Instituto Bernabeu, has participated in the 20th Intellectual Property and Innovation Congress. The event fosters development in various innovation-intensive industries and it is held at the University of Alicante campus in Calle San Fernando 40. The event is organised by the European Intellectual Property Institutes Network (EIPIN) and it brings together international experts from a wide range of fields of intellectual property, innovation and patents.

We have launched a new issue of Instituto Bernabeu corporate newsletter "IB Newsletter". Rafael Bernabeu Charitable Foundation opens the call for its scholarships for university students endowed with 45.000 euros. Students of Medicine, Nursing, Biology and Biotechnology of Universities from all over the country, that have brilliant trajectories and whose family income is an obstacle to continue their studies.

Azoospermia is one of the causes of male sterility. In order to be able to retrieve spermatozoa in men with this condition, the man has to undergo techniques involving sperm aspiration from the epididymis or testicles, or a testicular biopsy. Although these techniques can be performed at any time and the samples can be cryopreserved for use in the future, with our patients we generally aim to synchronise the procedure with oocyte retrieval. When we do so, the procedure can be performed the day before or the same day as the ovarian puncture that is used to retrieve oocytes from the female partner. Researchers at Instituto Bernabeu carried out a study to find out which of the two days chosen for testicular spermatozoa retrieval gave the best clinical results.  The research work was presented to the 1st National Congress of the Spanish Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (SEISEGO) that was held within the framework of the Spanish Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics Congress (SEGO).

A team of gynaecologists, embryologists, molecular biologists and biologists at Instituto Bernabeu has carried out research to determine if there is an increased number of monozygotic twin pregnancies following transfer when an embryo biopsy during the blastocyst stage (day 5 or 6 of development) has been performed. The twins come from a single ovum or single spermatozoon and they have the same genetic make-up. Pregnancies of this kind are also linked to various perinatal complications.

Instituto Bernabeu has presented research work analysing the clinical results obtained in an oocyte donor programme following random-start ovarian stimulation in comparison with conventional ovarian stimulation to the Sterility and Infertility Section of the Spanish Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (SEISEGO). Researchers at the reproductive medicine clinic discovered that there are no significant differences between the results and they highlight that this is an advantage for commencing treatment and synchronising the donor and recipient.

The Rafael Bernabeu Foundation has launched the edition of its €45,000 university student scholarship programme.

Embryo aneuploidies are one of the main causes of failure during in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment. Most of the errors that lead to embryos with chromosomal abnormalities have a maternal origin and numerous studies suggest that the mother’s age is a decisive factor. Instituto Bernabeu research work that was presented at the 1^st National Congress of the Spanish Infertility and Sterility Society (SEISEGO) has gone a step further. It questions if ovarian stimulation can have an impact on embryo chromosomal abnormalities.

The Spanish Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics has published a master’s degree dissertation written by Instituto Bernabeu biologist, Rafael Sellers. The research work entitled ‘Clinical outcomes in elective vitrification of embryos’, was managed by the Director of the Embryology Unit, Dr Jorge Ten.

The research is part of an extensive project submitted to the 1^st National Congress of the Spanish Infertility and Sterility Society

Instituto Bernabeu was present at the 1^st Spanish Sterility and Infertility Congress (SEISEGO) that was held within the framework of the Spanish Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (SEGO) event. Dr Rafael Bernabeu, Medical Director of the reproductive medicine clinic, is the society’s vice president and, as a prominent expert in the field, he opened the congress by moderating the first round table debate entitled ‘Updates in the basic analysis of the sterile partner’ along with Ana Belén Rodríguez.

Dr Andrea Bernabeu, a gynaecologist at Instituto Bernabeu, has assessed the most significant clinical data presented to the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) congress and their importance.

Research is our lifeline. Each and every step is an accomplishment in prognosis for patients who have all the odds against them. In its October edition, Human Fertility, the prestigious scientific magazine mentioned research work undertaken exclusively by Instituto Bernabeu scientists that opens the doors to accelerating diagnosis in patients who have experienced implantation failure and recurrent pregnancy loss. It also helps prognosis with a view to providing early treatment for these patients.

The Rafael Bernabeu Welfare Foundation participated in the 4^th edition of the National Rare Diseases Congress held in Ibi, a municipality of Alicante, on 30^th and 31^st October. It addressed the role of assisted reproduction treatment in avoiding transmission of genetic disorders. The congress aims to give people with rare diseases and experts in the field visibility, as well providing a forum for sharing information and analysis.

Dr Andrea Bernabeu, a gynaecologist at Instituto Bernabeu, participated in the ‘Family Medicine: the present, the past and the future’ symposium held on 26^th October. It was organised within the framework of the 36^th National Congress of Medicine Students (CNEM), 14^th international edition, held in Alicante between 24^th and 26^th October. This collaboration falls within the framework of the Instituto Bernabeu and Miguel Hernández University (UMH) Chair of Reproductive and Community Medicine. One of the main objectives of the Chair is to ensure primary prevention of infertility and to provide general practitioners, gynaecologists and the general population with information on fertility. 

Instituto Bernabeu actively participated in the workshops on reproductive medicine held in Castilla La Mancha, Albacete, on 19^th and 20^th October. The workshops were sponsored by Ferring. The aim was to share knowledge and latest updates. Lydia Luque, a gynaecologist and head of the clinic in Albacete, presented the event. It involved participation by doctors and biologists from 4 private clinics as well as an additional four specialist hospitals located in the Castilla La Mancha area that have human reproduction departments. “The aim was to review, refresh and share knowledge in order to progress, improve processes and improve management,” summarises Dr Luque.

Andrea Bernabeu, a gynaecologist at Instituto Bernabeu, coordinated the Personalisation and Individualisation of Reproductive Medicine Treatment workshop held in Valencia. Dr Bernabeu was part of a group of experts who participated in the 3^rd edition of the Clinical Workshops on Reproductive Medicine. Specialists from different clinics shared their knowledge and updates based on scientific and clinical evidence. The aim was to improve approaches to patients. 

The President of the Rafael Bernabeu Foundation and Medical Director of Instituto Bernabeu presented six scholarships for a total amount of 15,000 euros to students with excellent academic results and limited financial resources in order to help them continue with their studies. Within the framework of its commitment to society, the Rafael Bernabeu Foundation awarded scholarships worth 2,500 euros each to six medicine, nursing and biotechnology university students in order to cover the cost of fees and study material.

Instituto Bernabeu once again participated in the Congress of Pharmacy Students (CEFA). It held its 14^th edition this year. Future pharmacists got to know the Instituto Bernabeu clinic headquarters in Alicante and gained first-hand knowledge of the role that pharmacists play in assisted reproduction treatment.

In addition to its patient treatment, healthcare and research work, teaching is part of Instituto Bernabeu’s DNA. This month, Instituto Bernabeu will participate in a postgraduate course run by Castilla La Mancha University for pelvic floor specialists. The course is aimed at physical medicine and rehabilitation experts in order to give them a comprehensive view of pelvic floor pathologies.

Instituto Bernabeu and the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Castilla La Mancha (UCLM) are organising the 3^rd edition of the Master’s Course in Male Infertility that will be given at UCLM and at the reproductive medicine clinic. The aim is to broaden knowledge of reproductive medicine and the focus will be on the issues that men have when trying to conceive and the fact that this factor is equally as significant as infertility in women.

Dr Joaquín Llácer, an expert in ovarian reserve and Co-Director of Instituto Bernabeu, and Dr Ángela Llaneza, a gynaecologist and specialist in epidemiology at Instituto Bernabeu, participated in the 2^nd Symposium on Controversies in Reproduction and Perinatal Medicine held on 27^th and 28^th September in the San Carlos Clinical Hospital in Madrid.

The Instituto Bernabeu is helping out once again this year in the University Master’s on Community Pharmacy Direction and Management & Optimization of Pharmaceutical Care organised by the Universidad Miguel Hernández (UMH). Doctor Andrea Bernabeu has taken part in this fourth edition that deals with aspects related to pregnancy and maternal-child health with theoretical and practical classes. In addition to the classrooms this year, there is a new showroom laboratory that has been fitted out like a real pharmacy so that the students can get some hands-on experience. The personal assistant of the Instituto Bernabeu, Tamara Ruiz.

Instituto Bernabeu and the University of Alicante (UA) will manage the 7^th edition of the Master's Course in Reproductive Medicine for the 2018-2019 academic year. The aim is to provide experts from the world of health sciences with excellent and comprehensive training in the field of reproductive medicine.

Instituto Bernabeu has submitted a clinical study to the Spanish Fertility Society (SEF) congress that proposes ovarian sensitivity as a new marker in assisted reproduction.

What is the impact of the father’s age on his child’s health? This question was the backbone of the professional gathering that took place on 13^th September in the Instituto Bernabeu auditorium, Alicante. 

The new Instituto Bernabeu Group newsletter is now available, dedicated to our last reserach work accepted at FFER congress 2018.

Instituto Bernabeu has submitted three items of research work to the French Federation of Reproduction Studies (FFER) Congress that will be held in the French city of Lyon between 12^th and 14^th September. The event will bring together over 600 experts from all over the world who will exchange information on the latest updates in fertility and reproduction.

Research performed by Instituto Bernabeu has looked into whether fresh transfer or deferred transfer through cryopreservation followed by defrosting is the best strategy for carrying out pre-implantation genetic diagnosis for aneuploidies (PGT-A).

As a part of our continuous training programme, an intensive theoretical and practical seminar entitled ‘Advanced Workshop in Embryo Biopsy: Techniques and tips for usage’ will take place. The workshop is aimed at reproduction biologists who are specialised in micro-handling techniques.

During assisted reproduction treatment, conventional ovarian stimulation is performed over the first few days of the menstrual cycle. However, recent research shows that it can begin on any day of the menstrual cycle. The advantage is a decrease in the total time before treatment can begin. During the research, the oocyte retrieval results using the two strategies were similar.

Instituto Bernabeu has carried out research work with the aim of understanding if it is possible to predict the success of a cycle of egg donation by analysing two parameters: the number of mature donated oocytes obtained following ovarian stimulation and the quantity that are eventually fertilised.

Based on the positive results obtained, research performed by Instituto Bernabeu in Albacete entertains attempting ovarian stimulation in patients with low oocyte retrieval levels. The strategy is a step taken prior to egg donation.

With the incorporation of genetic techniques, it has been possible to identify a greater number of microorganisms that cannot be analysed with a normal microbiological culture and that make up the vaginal microbiome. A powerful tool to identify the microbiome are the massive sequencing techniques. The analysis of the microbiome is important since, among other things, in the field of reproductive medicine it is possible to detect if there is a microorganism that can facilitate or hinder the implantation of the embryo.

Since one of the parameters that enable us to measure assisted reproductive treatment efficiency is embryo morphology, its research is highly critical.

A study performed in the molecular biology and genetics laboratory at Instituto Bernabeu, IB Biotech, and submitted to the Spanish Fertility Society (SEF) congress has concluded that there is an increased risk of embryo abnormalities in chromosomal segments in young women.

Research carried out by Instituto Bernabeu has concluded that the use of heparin, an anticoagulant drug, improves prognosis in courses of in vitro fertilisation treatment (IVF) and ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) in patients who have experienced recurrent pregnancy loss or repeated implantation failure.

Instituto Bernabeu has submitted research work managed by Belén Lledó, Director of the clinic's Genetics Unit, to the Spanish Fertility Society (SEF) congress. The research involved analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in embryos and its link to the success of in vitro fertilisation treatment (IVF).

Instituto Bernabeu has submitted research work to the 32^nd Spanish Fertility Society (SEF) National Congress held in Madrid. The aim of the study is to gain an understanding of drugs under conditions that differ from authorised use for courses of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in patients with poor response, the frequency with which they are used in these cases and a review of the legal side to their administration. The research work is entitled: ‘Use of drugs under different conditions to those authorised within the framework of a course of in vitro fertilisation: a review of legal aspects and experience of use in patients with poor ovarian response.’

Parents' main aim in life is to ensure that their children are born healthy and that they, as parents, have the chance to ensure this happens. With this in mind, the Rafael Bernabeu Foundation makes its resources and research available so that people faced with health issues and also financial difficulties can try for children who are free of the illness they are carrying. The Rafael Bernabeu Foundation, Instituto Bernabeu's social wellness programme has, for many years, been offering preferential service when providing treatment for associations and social entities, including members of the Association in Support of the Mentally Ill of Alicante (Asociación Pro Discapacitados Psíquicos de Alicante, APSA). 

‘Patients with poor ovarian response have a different distribution in the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSHR) genotype.’ This is the title of the research work that Instituto Bernabeu gynaecologist, Yasmina Ben-Aicha, presented at the Spanish Fertility Society (SEF) congress. The leading national infertility event’s scientific committee has accepted a total of 16 pieces of Instituto Bernabeu research work, 12 of which are oral presentations given by their lead authors. 

The Instituto Bernabeu Group will once again attend the world's most significant reproductive medicine congress, both in terms of the work that is presented and in the number of specialists who attend.

Scientific research carried out by Instituto Bernabeu looked into the chances of a successful pregnancy using implanted embryos with chromosome mosaicism. It is a controversial issue because these embryos have a chromosomal abnormality in some cells and, until recently, these abnormalities were not detected. Thanks to current high-precision next-generation sequencing or NGS techniques and array-CGH during pre-implantation diagnosis for detecting aneuploidies, chromosomal abnormalities can be detected with precision in chromosome segments as well as in complete chromosomes.

Once again this year, Instituto Bernabeu was present at the 6^th edition of the Mediterranean Forum, a national gathering organised by Merck under the title ‘Human Reproduction’ where gynaecologists learn about the latest in the field. The Director of the Reproduction and Genetics Guidance Unit at Instituto Bernabeu, Dr Andrea Bernabeu, was present at the event where exchanges on very latest in the field of reproductive medicine take place. Her presentation was on new forms of ovarian stimulation. The gynaecologist covered new approaches using personalised treatment, new protocols and new means of administering pharmaceutical drugs.

The group of clinic’s aim, as it travelled to France in order to hold an informative event, is to make Instituto Bernabeu known beyond our frontiers and open up new horizons to foreign patients who are unable to get pregnant naturally.

The Rafael Bernabeu Foundation has launched the fifth edition of its €45,000 university student scholarship programme.

The 32^nd edition of the Spanish Fertility Society (SEF) National Congress held in Madrid has handed the Instituto Bernabeu Group an award for its work entitled ‘Engagement of nursing staff in assisted reproduction treatment: what is patient opinion?’ under the communication promoted to presentation category. The award was given by the Scientific and Organisation Committee of the 7^th edition of the National Nursing Congress that is held at the same time as SEF. The study in question was one of the 16 pieces of scientific research that Instituto Bernabeu presented at the leading national infertility congress. The clinic attends the congress every year and contributes work from its numerous fields of research.

The Medical Director at Instituto Bernabeu, Dr Rafael Bernabeu, recently participated in the Progress in Reproductive Medicine: Focus 2018 congress held in Italy. The event was held in Palermo, the Italian capital of science and life 2018, and it brought together leading international specialists in the field of reproductive medicine. His presentation was entitled ‘The potential of implanting mosaic embryos’ and it covered the next generation sequencing technique, the precision of which facilitates detection of embryos with mosaicism (they have cells with chromosomal abnormalities) and analysis of the chances that they have of implanting.

The medical codirector of Instituto Bernabeu, doctor Llácer, has participated in a masterclass in Greece attended by gynaecology professionals from across Europe. The expert on low ovarian reserve and director of the specific unit at Instituto Bernabeu spoke to his colleagues about the new personalized strategies for ovarian stimulation and subsequent handling in the obtaining of oocytes.

Rafael Bernabeu Charitable Foundation of Instituto Bernabeu, has celebrated the awards ceremony of the VIII Children's Drawing Contest on Motherhood. The reproductive medicine clinic Charitable Foundation, has presented the winners of the two categories, from 5 to 8 years and from 9 to 12 years with a diploma and a gift voucher of 300 euros, and with a diploma and a gift certificate of 100 euros to the two second places. The awards ceremony was held in the Sala Fnac Boulevard in Alicante and also another 16 children have received a diploma and a special gift.

As a part of our continuous training programme, an intensive theoretical and practical seminar entitled ‘Advanced Workshop in Embryo Biopsy: Techniques and tips for usage’ will take place. The workshop is aimed at reproduction biologists who are specialised in micro-handling techniques.

Instituto Bernabeu gynaecologist, Andrea Bernabeu, participated in the closing ceremony of the 3^rd edition of the Community Pharmacy Management and Optimisation of Pharmaceutical Care Master's Degree at the Miguel Hernández University (UMH) in Elche, a course on which she has participated as a lecturer. The closing ceremony of the third edition and official inauguration of the fourth edition was held in the ADDA auditorium in Alicante. It coincided with the 8^th edition of the National Congress of Community Pharmacists organised by SEFAC, the Spanish Society of Family and Community Pharmacies.

Instituto Bernabeu was present at the Italian Fertility, Sterility and Reproductive Medicine Society (SIFES) congress held in Riccione in Italy between 17^th and 19^th May. Paolo Cirillo, an Instituto Bernabeu gynaecologist, participated by giving two presentations at the gathering where experts in the field of infertility medicine meet. 

Instituto Bernabeu took a total of 16 pieces of research work to the 32^nd edition of the Spanish Fertility Society (SEF) National Congress. This is a significant quantity of work and, at the group of reproductive medicine clinics, research is an intrinsic part of its activity that is also put into practice during day-to-day provision of healthcare.

Eleven of the lines of research were presented as oral communications over the course of the event held between 16^th and 18^th May in Madrid’s convention centre where experts in reproductive medicine met.

The international congress entitled ‘A new approach to nursing in fertility’ held in the Instituto Bernabeu auditorium on 11^th and 12^th May brought together experts in infertility nursing from thirteen different countries. During the gathering, Dr Rafael Bernabeu, Medical Director at Instituto Bernabeu, highlighted the important role of nursing in reproductive medicine, a field in which Spain is a worldwide leader.

On 11^th and 12^th May, Instituto Bernabeu Alicante will organise a gathering of sixty experts in reproductive medicine nursing and auxiliary personnel with specialist skills in infertility. The most recent trends in this field will be covered in an international congress organised by Instituto Bernabeu and held in its headquarters in Alicante.

Juan Carlos Castillo, gynaecologist at the Instituto Bernabeu, has participated in a webinar (a talk given via internet in real time) offered by the English egg donation platform EggdonationFriends.com. The aim was to inform and respond to doubts sent by people around the world about infertility. 

Dr Joaquín Llácer, Medical Co-Director of Instituto Bernabeu, gave a speech at a conference held in Poland on treating patients with poor ovarian response and personalising courses of treatment.

‘IB International Workshop 2018: A new approach to nursing in fertility’ is the international congress due to be held on 11^th and 12^th May in the Instituto Bernabeu auditorium, Alicante. The event will bring together professionals from the field of nursing and experts in caring for reproductive medicine patients and, in doing so, share and explore knowledge that improves global care for these patients.

Instituto Bernabeu has been awarded the Whereivf.com international platform annual IVF PGD/PGS prize. Whereivf.com is the largest international directory of assisted reproduction clinics and the prize is awarded to clinics that stand out in complexity, innovation and efficiency to the benefit of its patients.

Under the headline ‘They are science’, the specialist healthcare magazine, Diario Sanitario, has selected Dr María Antonia López Rubio, a gynaecologist at Instituto Bernabeu in Albacete, Spain, to form part of an article on the role of women in the field of science. The publication highlights the work of female researchers in the Castilla La Mancha autonomous community. It presents the Instituto Bernabeu gynaecologist and cum laude Doctor of Medicine from the Autonomous University of Madrid as an example of hard work and perseverance. The aim of the publication is to shed light on the role of women in science. At Instituto Bernabeu, 80% of the team is female and over half over the management positions are the responsibility of female employees.

Children between 5 and 12 years of age can participate in one of two categories - one for children aged 5 to 8 years and another for children aged 9 to 12 years.

Instituto Bernabeu has embarked on a collaboration agreement with the Faculty of Medicine at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) so that students from one of the university’s courses can do work experience at the clinic located in Calle Ayala 48, Madrid.

The new Instituto Bernabeu Group newsletter is now available. Instituto Bernabeu has opened an elite reproductive medicine clinic in the heart of the Salamanca neighbourhood in Madrid's city centre.

The Instituto Bernabeu clinic will participate in a refresher course on reproductive medicine further to invitation by the Vall d’Hebrón Hospital which is organising an event for experts in the field in order to cover latest progress in obstetrics and reproduction.

Doctor Pino Navarro, an endocrinologist at the Instituto Bernabeu, has received institutional recognition from the Regional Government of Valencia for her research centred on women entitled “Diagnostic criteria of gestational diabetes. An update?”.

We have launched a new issue of Instituto Bernabeu corporate newsletter "IB Newsletter". Rafael Bernabeu Charitable Foundation opens the Fifth call for its scholarships for university students endowed with 45.000 euros. Students of Medicine, Nursing, Biology and Biotechnology of Universities from all over the country, that have brilliant trajectories and whose family income is an obstacle to continue their studies.

The Rafael Bernabeu Foundation has launched the fifth edition of its €45,000 university student scholarship programme.

Genetics tests carried out prior to conception mean that children can now be born free of certain illnesses. Molecular biology experts in the Instituto Bernabeu Genetics Department at IB Biotech will enable couples to have children who are free of health conditions thanks to the most groundbreaking techniques using the very latest technology. 

Instituto Bernabeu research presented at the 9^th edition of the Congress of the Society for the Study of Reproduction Biology (ASEBIR) held in Madrid found that the natural antioxidant cinnamtannin B1 present mainly in bay leaves and cinnamon protects spermatozoa from DNA damage. This natural protector increases the ability to fertilise the ovum and improves the quality of the embryos that are generated.

At the Association for the Study of Reproduction Biology (ASEBIR)'s 9th Congress held in Madrid, Instituto Bernabeu introduced a research paper focusing on checking the MLPA (Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification) technique's sensitivity levels in order to find out how specific alterations can affect sperm production. Our investigation entitled: "New technique to detect Y chromosome microdeletion (YCM): Clinical implications” was based on the fact that Y chromosomes comprise different genetic regions involved with spermatogenesis or sperm production. In the event that one of these regions, also known as AZF, was deleted or duplicated, this could result in either a low amount or the complete absence of sperm.

The aim of the study led by Instituto Bernabeu gynaecologist, Francisco Sellers, and endorsed by the Association for the Study of Reproduction Biology (ASEBIR), was to determine if there are differences between the quantity of trophoblastic vascularisation during early stages of spontaneous pregnancies and pregnancies after assisted reproduction techniques (ART).

Instituto Bernabeu presented research work in poster format at the 9^th edition of the Congress of the Association for the Study of Reproduction Biology (Asebir) held in Madrid in November. The research is based on data obtained from observing if there is a relationship between the morphological characteristics of an embryo, in accordance with Asebir criteria, and the presence of mosaicism in blastocyst biopsies.

Instituto Bernabeu has presented research work entitled 'Is there a relationship between oocyte retrieval and maturation, and embryo aneuploidy and mosaicism rates?' at the 9^th edition of the Congress of the Association for the Study of Reproduction Biology (ASEBIR). The research focuses on the relationship between the number of oocytes retrieved and matured following ovarian puncture and rates of embryo aneuploidy and mosaicism (chromosomal and cellular abnormalities).

The new Instituto Bernabeu Group newsletter is now available. Andrea Bernabeu, PhD, MD, Gynaecologist at Instituto Bernabeu, has received in New York the Young Investigator Award for her work on advanced genetics techniques on chromosome alteration on embryos.  

Dr Belén Lledó, a molecular biologist at Instituto Bernabeu, has participated in an international gathering of experts in reproductive medicine genetic technologies held in Paris. The gathering included events covering the very latest in the field from both a technical and ethical point of view.

Instituto Bernabeu Group's commitment to the most demanding of quality levels has once again been reflected in a further annual renewal of the Quality Healthcare (QH) official certification for excellence in healthcare that is awarded by the Institute for Development and Integration of Healthcare (IDIS from the Spanish acronym).

Instituto Bernabeu has delivered research work on the detection of chromosomal mosaicism in embryos using next generation sequencing (NGS) and its influence on birth rates to the Association for the Study of Reproduction Biology (ASEBIR) congress to be held in Madrid. Thanks to this complex technique, the researchers have proven that low-grade mosaicism in the embryo does not affect the birth of healthy children to a significant degree.

Instituto Bernabeu is responsible for organising the 'IB International Workshop 2018: A new approach to nursing in fertility' international congress due to be held on 11^th and 12^th May 2018 in the auditorium at the clinic's headquarters in Alicante. The aim is to bring together professionals from the field of nursing and experts in caring for reproductive medicine patients and, in doing so, share and delve deep into knowledge that improves global care specifically for these patients.

On Friday 24^th November, Dr María Antonio López Rubio, a gynaecologist at Instituto Bernabeu in Albacete, will participate in the 22^st edition of the event organised by the Spanish Society of General Practitioners of Castilla La Mancha that is due to be held in Cuenca between 23^rd and 25^th November. 

Andrea Bernabeu, PhD, MD, Gynaecologist at Instituto Bernabeu, has received in New York the Young Investigator Award for her work on advanced genetics techniques on chromosome alteration on embryos. 

We have launched a new issue of Instituto Bernabeu corporate newsletter "IB Newsletter". Instituto Bernabeu deals with the most complex of cases because it has over 30 years' experience that are a guarantee of expert hands at a leading clinic where each case is given personalised treatment. Wasting time is not an option when we are racing against the clock. When the aim of that race is a pregnancy, it is impossible to recover missed opportunities. If a woman's age and the fact that she is not getting pregnant combine, there is only one possible piece of advice: Put yourself in the very best hands and do not leave what quality reproductive medicine can do for you to chance.