ULusófona Students Test New Cryopreservation Technique

Students from the Master’s in Embryology and Human Reproduction at Lusófona University took part in a workshop organised by Vitrolife, a company specialising in fertility.

The proposal was simple, yet highly meaningful – to explore and test a new method for the cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos. Vitrification and devitrification are technical terms that embody the care given to what is on the threshold of life. These were the focus of a session that combined theory and practice in an immersive experience. The method presented, known as Rapid-I, differs from the protocol used in classes in aspects such as embryo handling and thermal control.

It is not a question of one technique being “better” than another, but of offering a variety of tools so that, in future, each professional may choose the approach with which they feel most prepared and confident to act.

The session was led by Marta Fernandes and Andrea Rivadeneira, representatives of Vitrolife, who guided the participants with clear and rigorous explanations, concluding with laboratory practice—where each gesture, no matter how small, carries the weight of a potential future.

For Patrícia Rodrigues, the course director, “These types of initiatives are essential for training well-rounded professionals, who are familiar with a range of realities and ready to respond to the demands of the clinical field with confidence and competence”. This is certainly a sentiment shared by the entire teaching team, who advocate for a dynamic, practice-oriented education where students are encouraged to experiment, make mistakes, succeed—and above all, to learn.

Professor Marta Ramos emphasised: “Our students graduate with a level of preparation that few institutions can offer! They work with realistic techniques, in a fully equipped laboratory and with close academic support. That makes all the difference.”

The students themselves recognise the impact of such opportunities: “Being exposed to different methods gives us space to grow as professionals. We feel we have the right tools to begin our careers on solid ground.”

View Event Photos on the Lusófona University Facebook Page

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Marta Soares

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Marta Soares