# Synthetic Biomimetic Environment for Improving IVF Embryo Culture

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST · 2021 · $235,093

## Abstract

Project Summary
Infertility is a widespread condition, which has affected more than 10% of all couples worldwide. For these
couples, in vitro fertilization (IVF) represents the best chance to conceive. However, for IVF, the overall rate of
a successful birth is less than 25%. Moreover, while most IVF children appear healthy, reports showed
suboptimal exposures during pre-implantation in vitro culture can affect postnatal growth, glucose metabolism,
fat deposition, and vascular function.
It is generally believed that, compared with sperm-oocyte fusion in vitro (which needs less than 10 hours in
human), several days of pre-implantation embryo in vitro culture is more responsible for these epigenetic
disorders. This is not a surprise due to the drastic differences between in vitro and in vivo environment for the
pre-implantation embryo. While over the past few decades, embryo culture media, incubation/observation
systems, and oxygen level controls have been drastically improved, fine-control of the microenvironment of
embryos has been overlooked. For example, culture of pre-implantation embryos still utilizes traditional 2D
tissue culture polystyrene surfaces. Thus, in this project, we focus on improving the pre-implantation embryo
culture by providing a biomimetic microenvironment. Our previous research has demonstrated the importance
of biophysical cues in the fate decision of human embryonic stem cells. Based on preliminary studies, we
hypothesize that optimal matrix stiffness, fluid flow, and embryo rolling will improve the quality of embryo
culture in vitro. To accomplish our objectives, we will first interrogate the independent role of matrix stiffness,
fluid flow and embryo rolling in embryo development (Aim 1). Further, to integrate these cues, we will develop
a novel Actuatable Fibrillar Substrates (AFS) to mimic ciliated oviductal epithelial cells, as potential
replacements for current IVF dishes. The evaluate the effects of AFS on embryo development, we will examine
cell lineage markers, expression pattern of imprinted genes with their allele-specific DNA methylation, as well
as differential effects associated with gender and cell types of embryo. Further, implantation frequency and
fetus/placenta development in vivo will be tested using pseudopregnant mice (Aim 2).
The long-term objective of this project is to advance the IVF procedures to improve the overall success rate
and reduce postnatal diseases related to IVF procedures. Notably, the AFS proposed here are biocompatible,
multi-functional, easy to use, and fully automated. It is compatible with embryos grown in culture medium
droplets covered by an oil layer, which are routinely used in clinics. Real-time monitoring embryo growth using
time-lapse incubators is also allowed with our platform. Thus, clinicians can use AFS the same way as
standard IVF dishes with minimal hurdles of adaptation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10067558
- **Project number:** 5R21HD098686-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST
- **Principal Investigator:** Wei Cui
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $235,093
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-12-09 → 2022-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10067558

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10067558, Synthetic Biomimetic Environment for Improving IVF Embryo Culture (5R21HD098686-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-11 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10067558. Licensed CC0.

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