Research and publications

Find out what we have been doing to improve our clinical practice and fundamental understanding of reproductive biology.

Bourn Hall Day 2-122-min

Our founders, including the pioneering embryologist Jean Purdy, invented IVF and established Bourn Hall, a clinic dedicated to bringing hope to the infertile around the globe. The ground-breaking birth of Louise Brown followed over two decades of meticulous research by Professor Sir Robert Edwards, Mr. Patrick Steptoe, and Jean Purdy.

Their profound understanding of human reproductive biology, achieved through tireless dedication, paved the way for advanced assisted conception treatments like IVF. Steptoe and Edwards, along with Purdy, established the world's first IVF clinic at Bourn Hall, where they continued to innovate and develop the field.

Driven by an unwavering commitment to advancing reproductive science, they shared their knowledge and expertise globally and relentlessly pursued deeper understanding. Our legacy of research endures today, encompassing two primary branches: Clinical Research, focused on enhancing outcomes for our patients, and Fundamental Research, dedicated to unravelling the intricate mechanisms of biology. Through these endeavours, we aspire to introduce novel therapies and techniques that will help countless individuals build their families.

Our philosophy of continuous improvement, our highly skilled people and experience of over 30 years gives us the ability to analyse large data sets to identify areas for improvement in our practice.

We publish our findings regularly in peer-review journals and present our work at national and international conferences.

We also constantly monitor what other groups are doing and after careful internal review adopt new developments that we think can contribute to improved outcomes for our patients.

Publications

Journal publications

Our research has been published in more than 100 peer review publications in a range of scientific and medical journals.

Books

We have contributed to a range of specialist fertility books over the past 30 years.

Poster presentations

Our staff have given poster presentations and oral presentations at many fertility conferences.

Current collaborative projects

Further details about our current research collaborations, together with what’s involved in donating embryos to research, can be found in our Patient Information and Consent forms via the links below.

Furthering our understanding of early human development for the generation of stem cells

Meiosis in unfertilised human oocytes

Research & publications contact

We’re always keen to hear from those in the scientific and medical community to further our research.

Please get in touch with Dr Kay Elder if you have any questions about our research projects, or would like further information or copies of journal publications.

We also welcome enquiries from academic research units that would like to discuss the possibility of initiating collaborative research projects

Frequently asked questions

If you have any unanswered questions or concerns, please contact the embryology team.

Our excellence in fertility treatment

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1977

The world's first IVF baby

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1980

Year founded by IVF pioneers

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25000

Babies born through Bourn Hall

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Clinics around the UK

Book a consultation

Our team is available to arrange appointments, answer your questions and support you throughout your fertility journey.