Thursday, April 7, 2011, 09:00-18:00

09:00-13:00	THEORETICAL SESSION
	Moderators: Ana Cobo, Spain; Masashige Kuwayama, Japan; Amir Arav, Israel
09:00-09:05	Introduction A. Cobo, Spain
09:05-09:40	Fundamentals of Cryobiology S. Leibo, USA
09:40-10:15	Different approaches of Vitrification G. Vajta, Australia
10:15-10:45	Coffee Break
10:45-11:15	Vitrification practice made perfect A. Arav, Israel
11:15-11:45	The Cryotop method for oocyte and embryo vitrification? M. Kuwayama, Japan
11:45-13:00	Live demonstration of using the Cryotop Method vitrifying oocyte with explanation by A. Cobo, Spain and M. Kuwayama, Japan
	Aim of the theoretical session: To introduce the biophysical and biochemical principles involved in cryobiology:
▪	Ice formation
▪	Slow freezing procedures
▪	Seeding
▪	Freezing curves
▪	The physical principles of Vitrification, introduction to minimum volume methods, cooling rates and different Vitrification devices
13:00-14:00	Lunch Break
14:00-18:00	HANDS-ON WORKSHOP: STEM CELL CRYOPRESERVATION: OPEN-PULLED STRAW (OPS), HIGH HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE (HHP) AND SOLID SURFACE VITRIFICATION (SSV)
	Directors: Gábor Vajta, Australia; Csaba Pribenszky, Hungary; András Dinnyés, Hungary
	The aim of this workshop is to focus on cryopreservation of embryonic stem cells and iPS cells. Participants will have the opportunity to learn two vitrification methods (OPS and SSV) successfully used for stem cells by prominent research groups, and get an impression of the application of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) to improve cryosurvival and developmental competence of various biological samples including stem cells.    Every participant is expected to make a successful vitrification cycle with both OPS and SSV, and to learn a simple way to perform a difficult task, to expose biological samples to pressures that occur 8.000 meters below the sea level. The workshop will provide an unique opportunity for stem cell researchers to make an important decision: to abandon the commonly used traditional freezing and apply the far more efficient vitrification methods for in cryopreservation of their precious colonies.In addition, an exciting new perspective will be offered to apply stress for stress tolerance, to improve the quality of stem cells, and increase resistance to various in vitro manipulations including cryopreservation.   Although the main focus is on stem cell research, we also encourage embryologists to participate, as the presented techniques are also acknowledged and successfully used for embryos and oocytes at various stage of development, as well.
	Workshop Instructors:
	Gábor Vajta, (Australia) is the inventor of the OPS method and minority owner of companies producing vitrification straws and stress preconditioning equipment, respectively.   Csaba Pribenszky, (Hungary) is a member of the inventor and R & D teams that work on the concept and devices of stress preconditioning and dynamic embryo monitoring.   András Dinnyés, (Hungary) is the inventor of the SSV method which is patented by University of Connecticut, US and owner of the company, BioTalentum Ltd active in stem cell and embryology related services.
	Workshop Fee: €2000 (Two thousand euro)   *Workshop & Congress Fee: €2400 (Two thousand four hundred euro) *Grants the participant access to the IVI Congress and CRYO Congress
	REGISTRATION IS RUN ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS
	CRYO CONGRESS Scientifc Program: http://www.comtecmed.com/CRYO/2011/scipro.aspx Registration: http://www.comtecmed.com/CRYO/2011/registration.aspx    IVI CONGRESS Scientifc Program: http://comtecmed.com/ivi/2011/sp.aspx Registration: http://comtecmed.com/ivi/2011/Registration.aspx