Our PhD/MPhil Reproductive Sciences programme enables you to undertake a research project that will improve understanding of Reproductive Sciences. This area hosts a clinical and academic research programme with the overarching aim of improving the safety and efficacy of assisted conception (IVF) treatment. Our specific aims are to: 1. understand the biochemistry and molecular biology of early human embryo development and in particular, the impact of the in vitro environment and IVF technologies 2. use IVF technologies as a model intervention (the only ethically acceptable one) in early human development to understand early programming of child and adult health 3. Understand the formation and composition of the periconceptual environment (in vitro and in vivo) and how this programmes early development. 4. Use cellular models including embryonic and trophoblast stem cells derived from human embryos for use as a model system for the study of early human development.