Centres of Research Excellence Fund

2006 Expressions of Interest

The National Centre for Research Excellence in Fertility and Reproductive Health (NCREFRH)

Director:  Prof. P. Stone
Host:        The University of Auckland

Partners:   Auckland University of Technology
                 University of Otago

Abstract:

The National Centre for Research Excellence for Fertility and Reproductive Health (NCREFRH) will bring together outstanding researchers from three institutions across New Zealand and will provide a hub of excellence that will allow the implementation of research programs with a multidisciplinary approach to the investigation of problems in fertility and reproductive health. A particular feature of the NCREFRH is the large number of clinical researchers who will facilitate clinical research across the country. In addition, the skill base of the researchers ranges from molecular to population-based epidemiology studies. Importantly, our research is driven by the problems that are encountered in fertility and reproductive health clinics around New Zealand.

Research will be focused into three broad themes each of which is aimed at improving the reproductive health and fertility of New Zealanders. The three themes are;

1. Preconception: Research focusing on the development of sperm and oocytes including endocrine control of fertility, research examining causes of infertility including conditions such as premature menopause, polycystic ovarian disease, antisperm antibodies and research investigating the transport of gametes and fertility control for contraceptive purposes.
2. Conception: Research on the interaction between sperm and oocytes and the events immediately preceding and following sperm-oocyte binding.
3. Post-conception: Research on factors controlling embryonic development prior to implantation, research on the control of implantation and why implantation fails, research on placentation and the maternal response to implantation. Research investigating inadequate placentation, miscarriage and markers of poor placentation.

NCREFRH researchers are directly involved in the delivery of fertility and reproductive health care and will ensure rapid implementation of research discoveries into New Zealand clinical practice. Our established partnerships with the biotechnology and healthcare industries will facilitate rapid commercialisation of relevant research while as a national centre of excellence we will be a valuable resource for informing national policy decisions.