Learning to Expect the Unexpected: What Our SOPs Do Not Define | Embryo Rescue: What You Need to Know

We were honored to welcome two distinguished speakers at the Dallas Embryologists Association’s third meeting of 2025, generously sponsored by Luminary Life Sciences and CryoFuture.

Our evening began with a presentation from Charlene A. Alouf, PhD, HCLD, MBA, who serves on CryoFuture’s advisory board in addition to holding several other leadership roles within the ART field. Her talk, “Learning to Expect the Unexpected: What Our SOPs Do Not Define,” emphasized the importance of establishing comprehensive SOPs to prepare for unforeseen challenges in the cryopreservation of gametes and embryos. Dr. Alouf highlighted the value of planning for technical risks such as electrical grid disruptions and tank failures, as well as natural disasters, with a particular focus on ensuring the safe evacuation and protection of cryopreserved material to maintain continuity of patient care.

We then heard from Amy Jordan, MS, LCGC, Director of Reproductive Genetics at Luminary Genetics. Her presentation, “Embryo Rescue: What You Need to Know,” explored the advantages of using Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A) with Cohort Quality Confirmation and Gamete Source Confirmation, particularly in the context of non-2PN embryos. She emphasized how this testing makes it possible to utilize valuable genetic information from embryos that might otherwise be discarded, which represents one of several important potential benefits for patients, particularly those with limited embryo resources.

We extend our sincere thanks to our speakers, sponsors, and attendees for contributing to another engaging evening of learning and discussion.

Tune in soon for details about our next meeting in December at the Gleneagles Country Club.