Dr Charlotte Maden was previously a Volunteer Writer at BioNews, having originally joined the publication under the auspices of its writing scheme. She obtained her PhD in developmental neuronal and vascular biology at University College London's Institute of Ophthalmology, under the auspices of a Doctoral Training Account from the Medical Research Council. Her current research at the Institute of Ophthalmology focuses on the growth of blood vessels and the nervous system in the vertebrate embryo. Previously, she studied Biochemistry and Biotechnology at the University of Manchester, incorporating an industrial placement year at AstraZeneca where she researched inflammatory diseases.
A report printed in the British Medical Journal this week about the trends in fecundity over time has called for more studies into the environmental factors contributing to reduced fertility rates. Infertility is a common problem in affluent societies, affecting around 15 per cent of couples trying...
Researchers in Finland have discovered a genetic mutation potentially involved in the formation of uterine fibroids. Fibroids are the most common reason for hysterectomy, and 60 percent of women develop them before the age of 45...
Two new initiatives have been launched by Cancer Research UK, aiming to increase the understanding of prostate and oesophageal cancers which will speed up the development of personalised treatments for patients....
British scientists have grown mature eggs from undeveloped ones in the laboratory and are currently seeking permission to fertilise them. The new research gives hope to young girls undergoing treatment for cancer that may leave them infertile...
A new study looking at the regulation of egg production in mice ovaries has identified a defect in 'quality control', which may help scientists understand why some women have a miscarriage during pregnancy...
At the Fukushima nuclear plant affected by the recent earthquake in Japan, workers have been attempting to fix the damage to the reactors, despite potentially high levels of radioactive contamination. As a result, the workers may now be invited to bank their stem cells for future treatment should they become ill....
New research has revealed many men receiving treatment for cancer are not offered the chance to bank their sperm. Chemotherapy drugs may cause fertility problems but men may choose to store their sperm prior to treatment for future use...
Scientists claim to have developed a new technique for sperm preservation, which allows more functioning sperm to be recovered. The Chilean and German team reportedly used vitrification, which is currently used for cryopreserving ('freezing') eggs and embryos, to successfully preserve sperm...
British women are prepared to spend an average of 15,000 in order to conceive, a survey has shown, with one in ten willing to spend over 50,000 on fertility treatment...
A mathematical model for predicting a couple's chances of a successful pregnancy by IVF after one failed attempt has been developed by US researchers. The model is 1000 times more accurate at predicting a positive outcome than standard methods, which are mainly based on a woman's age. The model may help clinics give more personalised and reliable advice to couples...
BioNews, published by the Progress Educational Trust (PET), provides news and comment on genetics, assisted conception, embryo/stem cell research and related areas.
