Molecular Mechanisms of Assisted Reproductive Technology
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 8
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Infertility affects millions of families worldwide, and while assisted reproductive technologies have advanced significantly, their success remains limited by oocyte quality and availability, particularly with advanced maternal age. Three emerging approaches promise to overcome these constraints: mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) to restore the compromised oocyte cytoplasm, in vitro gametogenesis (IVG) to generate germ cells from somatic cells, and germline gene editing to prevent the transmission of genetic mutations.
Despite their promise, translating these technologies into safe clinical application requires a comprehensive understanding of fundamental germ cell biology: MRT depends on precise control of mitochondrial carryover and replication; IVG success relies on recapitulating the intricate processes of meiosis, including accurate chromosome pairing and recombination; and germline gene editing raises critical questions about unintended effects on germ cell DNA and development.
This Special Issue addresses the molecular mechanisms underlying these reproductive technologies. We invite the submission of research exploring mitochondrial dynamics in oocytes, regulation of meiosis and recombination, chromosome pairing mechanisms, roles of cytoplasmic maternal factors, and effects of gene editors on germ cells. By advancing our mechanistic understanding of these fundamental processes, we can establish the scientific foundation necessary for these emerging technologies to achieve their clinical potential and address global infertility challenges.
Dr. Nuria Marti-Gutierrez
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- cytoplasm maternal factors
- mitochondrial replication
- meiosis
- chromosome pairing
- recombination
- gene editors
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