The ART, Innovations and Embryology Research Group is a translational reproductive science group based at 91色情片 Sydney and the Fertility & Research Centre, Royal Hospital for Women. Led by Dr Fab Horta, the group focuses on developing innovative technologies and clinical research programs to improve fertility care.
Our work brings together embryology, reproductive biology, artificial intelligence, advanced imaging, reproductive genetics, male infertility and oncofertility. We are particularly interested in non-invasive methods to assess oocyte, sperm and embryo health, with the goal of improving IVF decision-making and increasing the chances of patients starting a family.
Through collaborations across academia, hospitals, fertility clinics and industry, the AIER Group aims to translate reproductive science into practical solutions that improve outcomes for patients and families.
Vision
Our vision is to create a world where infertility is no longer a barrier to starting a family.
The ART, Innovations and Embryology Research Group is focused on transforming reproductive medicine through science, technology, and clinical translation. We aim to develop new ways to understand, diagnose and treat infertility, with a strong focus on non-invasive assessment of gametes and embryos, artificial intelligence, automation, assisted reproductive technologies, reproductive genetics, male infertility, oncofertility and fertility preservation.
Research Aim
The AIER Group aims to improve outcomes for people experiencing infertility by developing innovative, clinically translatable technologies and evidence-based approaches for assisted reproductive treatment.
Our research integrates human reproduction, embryology, reproductive biology, advanced imaging, artificial intelligence, molecular diagnostics and translational clinical research. A central focus of the group is to improve how oocytes, sperm and embryos are assessed in the IVF laboratory, with the ultimate goal of increasing treatment precision, reducing patient burden and supporting safer, more personalised fertility care.
- Research goals
- Research strengths
- Top results and achievements
- Publications and outputs to highlight
The group鈥檚 major research goals are to:
- Develop non-invasive technologies to assess reproductive cell health
We aim to advance metabolic imaging approaches, including hyperspectral microscopy, fluorescence lifetime imaging and light-sheet microscopy, to assess oocyte, sperm and embryo physiology without compromising viability. - Integrate artificial intelligence into IVF decision-making
We are developing AI-assisted tools to support embryo selection, gamete assessment, cohort ranking, risk stratification and conservative deselection approaches in the IVF laboratory. - Improve embryo selection and reproductive outcomes
Our work seeks to generate objective, biologically informed measures of embryo viability that complement existing morphology, time-lapse and genetic testing approaches. - Advance male infertility diagnostics and treatment strategies
We investigate oxidative stress, sperm DNA damage, molecular biomarkers, sperm function and emerging AI-based approaches to improve the diagnosis and management of male infertility. - Support fertility preservation and oncofertility care
We are building a translational research program focused on improving fertility preservation options for oncology patients, including reproductive genetics, pre-pubertal fertility preservation and long-term survivorship-focused reproductive care. - Translate reproductive research into clinical and commercial impact
The group actively works across academic, clinical and industry settings to ensure discoveries can be implemented in real-world fertility laboratories and improve patient care.
The AIER Group has several key strengths:
- Translational reproductive science: A strong bridge between laboratory discovery, clinical embryology and patient-focused fertility care.
- Advanced imaging in reproductive biology: Expertise in non-invasive metabolic imaging of oocytes, embryos and reproductive tissues.
- Artificial intelligence in IVF: Development and evaluation of AI-assisted tools for embryo and gamete assessment.
- Clinical embryology and ART laboratory expertise: Direct experience in IVF laboratory practice, embryo selection, and clinical implementation pathways.
- Male infertility and oxidative stress research: Work focused on sperm function, oxidative stress, DNA damage and fertility outcomes.
- Oncofertility and fertility preservation: A developing program focused on reproductive options for cancer patients and young people at risk of infertility.
- Interdisciplinary collaboration: The group brings together reproductive biologists, embryologists, IVF clinicians, engineers, imaging scientists, data scientists, AI researchers, geneticists and industry partners.
- Commercial and clinical translation: Strong emphasis on developing technologies that can be adopted by IVF laboratories and translated into improved patient outcomes.
The AIER Group and its collaborators have generated a growing body of research outputs and translational achievements, including:
- Publication of a proof-of-concept study in Scientific Reports demonstrating the potential of AI-based approaches for embryo assessment.
- Development of non-invasive metabolic imaging approaches for reproductive cell assessment, including research using hyperspectral microscopy, FLIM and light-sheet microscopy.
- Preclinical development of light-sheet imaging approaches for embryo assessment, including rapid imaging workflows, low phototoxicity conditions and demonstration of embryo viability in preclinical models.
- Development of intellectual property related to light-sheet microscopy-on-a-chip technology for IVF applications.
- Establishment of a research program focused on oxidative stress, sperm DNA damage and molecular biomarkers in male infertility.
- Development of oncofertility research initiatives focused on reproductive genetics, pre-pubertal fertility preservation and fertility care for oncology patients.
- International presentation of AI and embryo-selection research at ASRM in Denver, Colorado.
- Oral presentations at the Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand meeting in Perth.
- Frequent research dissemination through invited and conference presentations on advanced imaging, AI and embryo selection
- Supervision and training of emerging researchers in reproductive medicine, reproductive science, reproductive AI and reproductive genetics, including PhD, Honours and ILP students.
- Contribution to interdisciplinary publications in reproductive medicine, reproductive biology, embryology, genetics, bioinformatics and assisted reproductive technologies.
The following publication and output areas should be highlighted on the group website. Full citation details can be provided separately for upload:
- Non-invasive metabolic imaging in reproductive medicine
Publications and reviews focused on autofluorescence imaging, NAD(P)H/FAD metabolism, hyperspectral imaging, FLIM and light-sheet microscopy for oocyte and embryo assessment. - Human reproduction and reproductive biology reviews
Including the invited mini-review on non-invasive metabolic imaging and AI-assisted embryo assessment. - Male infertility and oxidative stress research
Work focused on sperm oxidative stress, sperm DNA damage, molecular biomarkers and advanced diagnostics. - Reproductive genetics and bioinformatics
Contributions to publications evaluating clinical genomics tools and their application in reproductive and precision medicine contexts. - Oncofertility and fertility preservation
Emerging translational work focused on improving fertility preservation care for oncology patients, including pre-pubertal fertility preservation and reproductive genetics.
