The CRG as Scientific Institute for research into Human Infertility
The CRG is not only internationally recognized for its trend setting role in the treatment of people with fertility problems, but equally so for its scientific research projects which it performs and the manner in which it performs them.
Since its creation, our centre has played an important role in the establishment of the European Society for Human Reproduction (ESHRE,
http://www.eshre.com).
We have organized two ESHRE congresses in Brussels, in 1986 and in 1994 at the VUB. Over the years, regular symposiums and workshops have been held in the CRG for ESHRE, in which countless fertility experts have taken part.
ESHRE was created to encourage and support the interest and knowledge in human reproductive biology. It encourages research projects and ensures that the results thereof are made known to the general public, other researchers, scientists and fertility specialists. More specifically, ESHRE tries to initiate improvements in clinical practice via the organization of study and training opportunities and the bringing together of specialists, to discuss specific reproductive themes.
Training institute In the CRG, there are always a number of
clinical fellows and
research fellows amongst us. These are fertility specialists, who come to work with us for a period of time, in order to become competent in the treatment, or research into fertility problems. In the
archive section of this website, you will find memories of the congresses and workshops which have been organized over the years, as well as details about the many people who have been here for training. See also
training opportunities in the CRG.
EAA The CRG is regarded as a specialist centre for the treatment of male infertility problems, even more so since the introduction of the ICSI technique, which led to an increase in the number of male infertility cases treatable. For this reason, the CRG is a recognized training centre of the
European Academy of Andrology (EAA) for clinical androlody in Europe.
Andrology is a field of medicine concerned with the identification and treatment of problems affecting the male reproductive organs. Erection problems, male contraception, hormonal imbalance, and ageing fall under this discipline in addition to male infertility.
Andrology has become an independant speciality in many countries, however not in Belgium. In 1991, under Professor Herman Tournayes' leadership, an andrology clinic was established at UZ Brussel. The clinic works in close cooperation with other disciplines. With its problem-orientated approach, the clinic is able to treat men with fertility problems in a co-ordinated manner.
The andrology clinic at UZ Brussel is one of the three Belgian training centres for the EAA; the European association which awards the certification of clinical andrologists. The original certification dates from 1997 and was renewed on March 25th 2005, following an audit performed by an international delegation from the EAA.
This recognition enables specialists in training at UZ Brussel to acquire levels of competence in all sub-aspects of andrology; fertility, genetics, urology, endocrinology, pathology and sexology. This is important, because the law, passed in 1997 concerning standards of care in reproductive medicine, specifies that hospitals which provide this service must have a clinician in residence who possesses a certain level of expertise in andrology.
Research Projects At the moment, there are a number of
research projects being carried out at the CRG in connection with fertility. Many projects are concerned with the genetic causes of infertility, the storage of unripe egg cells or stem cells from the testicles, the freezing of embryos, the identification of embryonic stem cells and so on.
Over the years, our research projects have resulted in the production of countless
scientific publications. Furthermore, we hold weekly meetings, during which fundemental and clinically applied research within the CRG is shared with staff members and specialists from further afield.
In order to be able to carry out its research work, the CRG makes use of funds from various sources, including the Flemmish Scientific Research Fund (
www.fwo.be) and the Research fund from the Free University of Brussels (
http://rd-ir.vub.ac.be/onderzoek). Funds are also made available by the Pharmaceutical industry and the European Community.
Finally, the CRG makes use of funds donated by (ex)patients and various other companies, via
the CRG Foundation.