Minutes of the 5th Meeting of the International Network for Young Researchers in Male Fertility

Abstract

The International Network for Young Researchers in Male Fertility (INYRMF; http://www.youngresearcher.eu) is committed to establish global networks among young (early stage) scientists in testicular research and to promote collaboration and exchange of methodologies and expertise. We provide a more informal way of communication than many other congresses and meetings and promote online discussions on the homepage and during our annual meetings. Our network evolved at the European Testis Workshop (ETW) in 2006 in Germany1,2 and is continually expanding both in number of members and number of member countries. Participation in our network is open and free for all ‘young' scientists according to their scientific experience in the field of reproductive medicine/biology. Therefore, we welcome all students—PhD students, post-docs, etc., to join our network. The registration is an easy procedure on our homepage http://www.youngresearch.eu. Currently, we have almost 300 members from 37 different countries. Our first meeting was held in Naantali, Finland in 2008 adjacent to the Fifteenth ETW, followed by Munster, Germany in 2009, Elba, Italy in 2010, and Edinburgh, United Kingdom in 2011. Our Fifth meeting was held on 19–20 April this year at Djuronaset in the beautiful archipelago at the outskirts of Stockholm, Sweden. This meeting was held adjacent to the Seventeenth ETW which occurs every other year. Our Fifth Meeting was mainly organized by Dr Aida Wahlgren and Dr Jan-Bernd Stukenborg. The audience comprised 50 participants from 12 European and Asian countries. The program covered a wide range of interests relevant to young researchers in male fertility, from basic to clinical, and to translational science. Similar to former meetings adjacent to the ETW, we organized four invited talks by well-known experts in the field. In addition, all participants had the opportunity to discuss the topics in two open panels. We were pleased about these excellent talks and a very active audience, which brought us particularly fruitful discussions and ultimately a successful meeting for all of us.