Spotlight on The Human Embryo and Embryonic Stem Cell Research

On December 15, 2010, Renee Reijo Pera, PhD spoke to the CIRM Governing Board about her research studies of the human embryo and embryonic stem cells.

Using time lapse video of the embryo’s initial cell divisions, Pera’s lab identified parameters that can accurately predict which embryos created through in vitro fertilization will be most likely to produce a pregnancy. These findings could improve the success rate for couples trying to have children through in vitro fertilization as well as reduce the number of embryos used in the procedure.

Pera is director of Stanford’s Center for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Education. She was introduced by Robert Klein, chair of the CIRM Governing Board. She has a Comprehensive grant and a New Cells Lines grant from CIRM.