Non-invasive imaging of human embryos to predict developmental competence

Although some aspects of human embryo development are conserved with those of other species, including the mouse, many aspects such as the timing of reprogramming and occurrence in the absence of transcription, duration of transcriptional silence and identity of genes with modulated expression in the oocyte to embryo transition, appear to be unique. Yet, frequently, the only data available for understanding the programs of early embryo development is that derived from model or agricultural species. We suggest that a specific understanding of basic aspects of human embryo development can affect a two-fold positive impact: 1) We can improve the health of a substantial subset of patients who seek assisted reproduction by improving diagnostics of viable embryo development in the clinic and, 2) we can use the information we gather to improve derivation and diagnosis of pluripotent stem cell lines (including reference or gold-standard human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines and closely-related induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines) and their fates in novel basic and clinical applications.