To move or not to move:
How to control sperm motility
When
Where
27th of April 2017
University of Aveiro, iBiMED, Medical
Department (building 30, room 30A.2.05)
Sciences
What
The sperm cell is one of the most differentiated cell
types and the only that must leave the male body to
achieve its goal in the female reproductive system . To
do so, sperm must be motile.
This one-day event aims to provide an update on the
current knowledge on sperm motility acquisition and
regulation and to discuss future perspectives on this
topic. . The lectures will be delivered by leading experts
on sperm physiology and protein-protein interaction
modulation and will focus on signaling events crucial for
sperm motility and the techniques available to modulate
sperm motility.
Who
Open to the general public, but registration necessary.
Recommended for graduate, post-graduated and senior
researchers. Please complete the registration form
(https://goo.gl/forms/wmRAS4jRMW1OMG7d2)
until
th
30 of March. If requested a certificate of attendance is
given.
Coordination
Dra. Margarida Fardilha, PhD
Maria João Freitas, Msc
To move or not to move:
How to control sperm motility
Program
09.30-09.45: Arrival/Registration
09.45-10.00: Welcome session – Dr. Manuel Santos, Head of
iBiMED and Medical Sciences Department
10.00-10.30: Dra. Margarida Fardilha
University of Aveiro, Portugal
The role of phosphatases in sperm motility
10.30-11.00: Dr. Srinivasan Vijayaraghavan
Kent State University, United States of America
Sperm GSK3apha is a key signaling enzyme required for male
fertility
11.00-11.30: Coffee Break (provided)
11.30-12.00: Dr. Stephen Publicover
University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
Calcium signaling and regulation of motility in human sperm
12.00-12.30: Dr. Vladimiro Silva
Ferticentro, Coimbra, Portugal
Clinical approach to sperm abnormalities
12.30-14.00: Lunch
14.00- 14.30: Dr. Giorgio Colombo
Institute for Molecular Recognition Chemistry, Italy
Studying protein dynamics to investigate protein-protein
interactions
14.40- 15.10: Dr. John Howl
University of Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
Bioportides: a strategy to target protein-protein interactions
15.20 -15.30: Closing session
To move or not to move:
How to control sperm motility
Speakers
Dra. Margarida Fardilha: Dr. Margarida is interested
in the role of the Phosphoprotein Phosphatase 1
(PPP1) in male-related disorders. The specificity and
activity of PPP1 depends on its binding partners.
Margarida is particularly interested in understanding
the molecular mechanisms associated with male
infertility and prostate cancer and identify molecular
targets suitable for diagnosis, prognosis and therapy,
based on PPP1 complexes.
Dr. Srinivasan Vijayaraghavan: The major interest of
Dr. Vijayaraghavan laboratory is to understand the
biochemical basis for the development of sperm
function. This knowledge will help in the diagnosis and
treatment of male factor infertility. A long-term goal is
to develop new approaches to regulate male fertility
and understand the male infertility causes,
management of fertility in man, domestic animals of
economic importance, and endangered animal
species.
Dr. Stephen Publicover: For many years, the focus
of Dr. Publicover work has been on ion channels and
cell signaling in the physiology and pathology of a
number of cell types. One of the most significant
works concentrates on human sperm physiology and
sperm-egg signaling, specifically signaling events
(primarily calcium signaling and ion channel
regulation) evoked by interaction of sperm with the
oocyte-cumulus complex and the female tract.
To move or not to move:
How to control sperm motility
Speakers
Dr. Vladimiro Silva: Dr. Vladimiro Silva is the head of
the Medical assisted reproduction lab of the fertility
clinic “Ferticentro”. In his several years of experience,
Dr. Vladimiro helped countless couples to have children
and published national and international peer reviewed
papers. Currently, he is a consultor for the National
Health department.
Dr. Giorgio Colombo: Dr. Giorgio Colombo laboratory
centers
on
integrating
molecular
dynamics,
computational physical-chemistry and bioinformatics
approaches to study the dynamics and specificity of
protein-protein, peptide-protein and protein-small
molecule binding. This knowledge can be used to
rationally design new molecules with pharmacological
applications.
Dr. John Howl: The current research projects of Dr.
Howl laboratory focus on peptide design and synthesis
providing de novo materials for a variety of internal
and external research projects. Current efforts are
predominantly focused upon the development of
bioactive cell penetrating peptides, for reproductive
applications, such as contraception.
To move or not to move:
How to control sperm motility
How to get to Aveiro
Train: Aveiro is connected by train to Porto, Coimbra and Lisboa. More information
can be found in https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/
Porto: the trip takes approximately 1 hour and there are hourly trains. The price of a
round trip is 6.80€
Lisboa: Depending on the type of train, the trip can take between 2h and 2h30min.
The price for a round trip ranges from 40€-60€ (note that if booked early, the prices
are lower). There is a train every 2 hours.
Coimbra: the trip takes approximately 1 hour and there are hourly trains. The price
of round trip is around 12€ (depending on the type of the train).
From the train station there are several options to reach iBiMED, Univeristy of
Aveiro.
Bus: Take the green line. 1.90€ per trip
Walk: around 40min (https://goo.gl/3qiJlQ)
Taxi: 10min trip. Around 8€
Car: Aveiro is a small town which makes it easy to drive and almost traffic free. Next
to the iBiMED bulding (venue) there is a free parking lot.
Coordinates: 40º 37' 24'' N 8º 39' 27'' W
From the North: Take the highway A1. Exit the A1 highway towards Aveiro in A25
highway. To reach the university quicker, exit the A25 highway on the exist “Aveiro”.
From the South: Take the highway A1 and exit on “Aveiro-Sul/Águeda (exit 15).
Take the EN235 to reach the campus.
Where to eat
Crasto cafeteria: Full meal with option of meat, fish, vegetarian or diet for main
course. Most students rely on this cafeteria for lunch and dinner meals. Price:
2.50€ or 3.50€, for all students or 5€ for visitor not student. For the daily menu
consult https://goo.gl/vivQ3Q
Bar do Estudante: light meals (salads, sandwiches, etc.). Low prices (around 4€).
Glicínias Plaza: Shopping center with several fast-food, light meals and traditional
Portuguese options. 7 min car drive or 30 min walking. Moderate prices (around
10€). Directions for Glicínias Plaza: https://goo.gl/l0CWAA
Other options: almost every building in the campus has a small coffee place.
Typically, you can find pastries and other snack options (for mid-morning and midafternoon snacks) and light meals for lunch.
University of Aveiro Map