Frontiers in Reproduction: Molecular & Cellular Concepts & Applications 2014

FIR is an intensive 6 week laboratory and lecture course for scientists-in-training who seek to improve their knowledge and experimental skills in order to pursue a career in the Reproductive Sciences. FIR is held each summer at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, a world-famous training ground for Experimental Biologists. We welcome applications from graduate students, postdoctoral and clinical fellows as well as junior faculty. Twenty participants are selected each year from a competitive admissions pool.


FIR is directed by Mario Ascoli (The University of Iowa) and is divided into three 2-week sections. Each section consists of lectures, discussions, informal seminars, laboratory exercises, demonstrations and one on one tutorial
s. Section 1 is directed by Lane Christenson (The University of Kansas Medical Center) and covers signal transduction as well as transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Section 2 is directed by Rafael Fissore (The University of Massachusetts) and covers gametogenesis, fertilization, cloning and stem cells. Section 3 is directed by Larry Reynolds (North Dakota State University) and covers transgenic technology, development of the reproductive tract and implantation biology. FIR closes with a 2-day Symposium that features research presentations from the current class and selected FIRbees from previous years, along with additional distinguished guest speakers.


FIR Faculty and FIRBees are free from other responsibilities found at home institutions, enabling full immersion in the FIR experience. Participants’ only responsibilities are to teach and learn. These unique characteristics of FIR, coupled with the rich scientific atmosphere of the MBL, provide an informal and relaxed setting to complement our intense lecture and laboratory program.


FIR is supported by major grants from the