Democritus University of Thrace, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine
| Priority Axis | Enterpreneurship and Innovation |
| Specific Objective | Innovative territories |
| Country | Greece |
| Organization/ Entity | Democritus University of Thrace, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine |
| First Name | Byron |
| Last Name | Asimakopoulos |
| Address | Laboratory of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece |
| basima@med.duth.gr | |
| Contact Phone | 0030 2551030538, 0030 2551030504 |
| Project idea title | Creation of a new medium for semen processing |
| Specific problem to be addressed | Semen processing is a necessary step in assisted reproduction techniques. It aims to remove seminal plasma and immotile spermatozoa and to improve sperm motility. Semen processing requires a medium containing salts, albumins, energy sources and having stable PH outside incubator. Today, the available media are either embryo culture media or slightly modified ones. The project for the creation of a new medium for semen processing is based on: 1. The large market 2. The relatively small number of commercially available media for semen processing 3. The majority of the available media are of old technology, without innovative characteristics. 4. In recent years, new data have appeared about the effects of growth factors on sperm function. |
| Main project activities planned | 1. Design and preparation of formulas containing anorganic salts, vitamins, amino acids, energy sources, albumins and certain growth factors, having a stable PH in atmospheric conditions. 2. Testing of these formulas in clinical trials. |
| Expected outputs and results | 1. Invention of an innovative medium for sperm processing suitable for commercialization. 2. Dissemination of the results of the research through publications in scientific journals and presentations in scientific congresses. Invention of an innovative sperm processing medium, suitable for commercialization. Dissemination of the results through publications in scientific journals and presentations in scientific meetings. |
| State you area of expertise/ interest | - Reproductive Physiology; - Reproductive Biology - Assisted Reproduction Techniques - Pharmacology |