New blood test for Endometriosis detects up to 90% of cases

A pioneering and simple test looks for tiny DNA fragments in the blood and could spare women needing to undergo keyhole surgery to diagnose the condition. Developed by MDNA Life Sciences and Prof Christian Becker from the Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, the test will be available privately within nine months at a cost of about £250 and potentially available via the NHS in the not too distant future.

Bringing endangered species back from the brink

A technique to produce eggs from ovarian tissue in the lab may offer hope for critically endangered species like the Northern White Rhino that have passed what is currently considered the point of no return. Dr Suzannah Williams and her research team have begun work to find a new way of saving the Northern White Rhino by using tissue taken from animal ovaries to produce potentially large numbers of eggs in a laboratory setting.

Studies for pregnant women

The Oxford Safer Pregnancy Alliance (OSPREA) recruits pregnant women for a range of observational and interventional studies. We are supported by the Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, (part of the University of Oxford) the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and the Thames Valley & South Midlands Clinical Research Network, part of the National Institute for Health Research.

MitOX 2019 - Book now

The Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health invites you to MitOX 2019 on Tuesday 30th April in Oxford. It's our annual meeting packed with short talks and posters on cancer metabolism, neuroscience, diabetes, mitochondrial disorders and general mitochondrial biology. Ideal for researchers with an interest in Mitochondria from academia and pharma.

Hear from our MSc students

"The MSc Clinical Embryology course awoke the scientist in me. I became proficient in scientific writing, critical thinking, experimental design and data presentation. As a clinical embryologist, I credit this course for helping me understand the mechanisms driving the physiology and pathophysiology of human reproduction. Furthermore, learning critical assisted reproductive techniques and interacting with renown scientists in the field overshot my expectations". Wonderful student feedback!

What we do

The Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health encompasses multi-disciplinary research across the full spectrum of women’s health. Our work has four overarching themes; Cancer, Global Health, Maternal & Fetal Health and Reproductive Medicine & Genetics. We also teach students and provide clinical care for Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust. The department also includes The George Institute for Global Health (TGI) whose mission is to increase access to quality health care for millions of people worldwide - with a particular focus on vulnerable women in resource-poor settings. Find out more

CANCER

Cancer small

Learn about the genesis and formation of micrometastases in Ovarian Cancer and how they can develop resistance to chemotherapy.

GLOBAL HEALTH

Global Health

Explore what can happen to mother and infant in the time before and after birth, such as infections, low birthweights and much more.

MATERNAL & FETAL HEALTH

Fetal

Discover more about health and disease throughout pregnancy and the effects on maternal and fetal outcome in both the short and the long term.

REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE & GENETICS

Repro

Read about infertility, pelvic pain, therapies for mitochondrial disease and improvement of assisted reproductive technologies (ART).

Postgraduate study

We run three world class Postgraduate study programmes: MSc in Clinical Embryology (1 year residential programme) MSc by Research (2 years research degree) and DPhil (3-4 years research degree). Click on the slideshows below for more details on each course. Please note we are now closed for applications for entry in October 2018. We will open for applications for entry in October 2019 in early September 2018.

Apply now

We are still accepting applications for the MSc in Clinical Embryology for entry in October 2019. This world class course has won numerous awards and provides students with theoretical and practical understanding of human reproductive biology, embryology, infertility and ART including the very latest developments in ART, legislation, ethics, and quality control.

MSc state of the art laboratories

Our world class MSc in Clinical Embryology course provides students with theoretical and practical understanding of human reproductive biology, embryology, infertility and ART including the very latest developments in ART, legislation, ethics, and quality control.

MSc practical training

Our MSc course was specifically designed to include intense laboratory practical training. Students learn skills and techniques directly relevant to assisted reproductive technology (ART), as well as a range of ‘traditional’ and ‘cutting edge’ scientific techniques and procedures.

MSc teaching site

The MSc course is based at Winchester House on the Oxford Science Park, with dedicated state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities.

MSc global reach

The MSc in Clinical Embryology was established in 2008 and since then, we have taught 141 graduate students from 45 countries around the world. The course has won numerous University awards for teaching innovation and excellence.

Director of Graduate Studies

Professor Krina Zondervan is our Director of Graduate Studies. We offer a two-year MSc by Research and a three-year DPhil in Women's and Reproductive Health. These involve undertaking independent research in your chosen area under the supervision of an expert in your field.

Research degree projects

There are a variety of projects available for DPhil and MSc by Research students. We are now closed for applications for entry in October 2019. The projects below might be available for entry in October 2020, so do feel free to contact supervisors.

New blood test for Endometriosis detects up to 90% of cases

5 April 2019
Bringing endangered species back from the brink

26 March 2019
Dr Elizabeth Millett

26 March 2019
MitOX 2019 - Book now

8 February 2019

More news

Senior Dept Staff

Stephen Kennedy

Head of Department, Professor of Reproductive Medicine & Co-Director of the Oxford Maternal and Perinatal Health Institute (OMPHI).
Lesa Levett

Head of Administration & Finance
Robyn Norton

Acting Executive Director, The George Institute, UK.
Krina Zondervan

Professor of Reproductive & Genomic Epidemiology, Co-Director Endometriosis CaRe centre, Director of Graduate Studies

Jobs

https://data.ox.ac.uk/feeds/vacancies/23232645

Find out more

Where we work

We are located across four Oxford sites: the Women's Centre, the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine (both at the John Radcliffe Hospital), Winchester House in Oxford Science Park and Hayes House in central Oxford. See more

Looking for someone? View our team of researchers and research support staff, graduate research students and administrative staff here