VITRIFICATION OF OOCYTES: Vitrification in a closed system, VALENCIA, SPAIN Thursday, May 27, 2010, 09:00-18:00 9:00-13:00     THEORETICAL SESSION 09:00-09:05   Introduction                     A. Cobo, Spain   09:05-09:40   Fundamentals of Cryobiology                     S. Leibo, USA   09:40-10:30   Basic principles of vitrification                      A. Arav, Israel   10:30-11:00   Coffee break   11:00-11:45   Different approaches of Vitrification                     G. Vajta, Australia   11:45-12:45   The Cryotop method for oocyte Vitrification. Description of the technique.                     Clinical results                      N. Kagawa, Japan   Live demonstration of using the Cryotop Method vitrifying oocyte with explanation by  Prof. Kagawa   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. 12:45-14:00    Lunch     14:00-18:00    HANDS-ON WORKSHOP: OOCYTE AND EMBRYO VITRIFICATION -                      Vitrification in a closed system:                             Directors: Y. Barak, israel  and A. Arav, israel   We will demonstrate the different techniques of closed system Vitrification. Each participant will try to vitrify oocytes using Sealed SOPS and the VitMaster. We will review and troubleshoot problems which occur during Vitrification, revealing the methods required to solve these problems.   1) Solution effect - are we using a safe solution? 2) Technical skills - how to produce a small drop containing oocytes 3) Open vs Closed system, LN vs. Slush vitrification 4) Using homemade cryo-microscope, explore the crystallization, de-vitrification, fracturing      and recrystallization phenomenons.   Workshop fee including Congress registration: €2,500 (Two Thousand Five Hundred Euro).