Professor Joanna Bridger introduced the speakers and topics for the opening public lecture held 19 October 2022 and gave a preview of further sessions scheduled for autumn 2022.

In this special two-part launch of the series, Prof Joanna Bridger & Dr Sabrina Tosi explored The Fertile Years. This series opener offered a biological perspective of how eggs and sperm are made, the wonders of what happens when they meet at conception, how implantation occurs; and the impact age and alternative remedies have on these processes.

Dr Manos Karteris and Prof Amanda Harvey then offered a biochemical view of the molecules, vitamins, hormones and pathways that lead to fertility, those that can be used to enhance fertility and protect the health of a developing foetus.

Centre for Genome Engineering and Maintenance (CenGEM), Brunel University London

Just as scientific developments have pushed at the limits of human fertility, writers and artists have taken up the challenge of exploring what these discoveries do to our perceptions of being human. This lecture explored the poets, writers, and visual artists who think about conception at a cellular level. How has this changed our perception of family? What are the new stories we tell about our bodies?

Prof Claire Lynch, English and Creative Writing, Brunel University London

Infertility is a global health problem. 1 in every 6 couples are estimated to experience difficulties conceiving, with male fertility problems accounting for almost half of all cases. Sperm counts are reported to be falling by around 1.1% per year, with an overall decline of 51.6% in 45 years. Of concern, the rate of decline has doubled since 2000. We genuinely don’t know why.

The human race is not at immediate risk of extinction, but why are sperm counts are falling? Are there other implications for male health?

Two leading experts in the field explained the possible causes for semen quality decline, revealing the latest research into the ill-defined contours of chemical exposures.

• Dr Sarah Martins Da Silva, Clinical Reader, Systems Medicine, University of Dundee
• Professor Andreas Kortenkamp, Human Molecular Toxicology, Brunel University London

A look at how the law, the workplace, society and community can and should help to support individuals to have a productive work life and also procreate.

• Dr Lora Adair, Psychology, Brunel University London
• Dr Sara De Benedictis, Sociology and Communications, Brunel University London
• Professor Shireen Kanji, Human Resource Management, Brunel University London
• Ms Sandy Malvankar, Human Resources, Brunel University London
• Dr Veronica Shleina, Law, University of Westminster 

Research is developing new possibilities to have babies later in life, combining genomes in novel ways, correcting abnormalities inside and outside of the womb and starts to understand the very early stages of embryology. New developments were discussed and experts from Brunel University London presented their pioneering work in genomic engineering, gene therapy in the womb and modelling embryology in culture.

Profs Joanna Bridger and Michael Themis

Centre for Genome Engineering and Maintenance (CenGEM), Brunel University London