Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
*Apply to join Foresight Biotech & Health Extension program:* foresight.org/focus-areas/longevity-biotechnology
A group of scientists, entrepreneurs, funders, and institutional allies who cooperate to advance biotechnology to reverse aging and extend human healthspan. This group is sponsored by 100 Plus Capital. 100pluscap.com
*Travis Potter | Babies From a Blood Draw*
Abstract: In vitro gametogenesis (IVG), the creation of eggs and sperm from ordinary cells, could fundamentally reshape reproductive medicine. Almost a decade ago, mouse studies proved the concept, and researchers are now pursuing two main strategies to translate IVG to humans: cytokine signaling and transcription factor overexpression. Each involves distinct tradeoffs in efficiency, safety, and scalability. We will examine where the science stands today and what the near future holds. The potential market starts with women for whom IVF egg retrieval is ineffective, but will eventually expand to include most IVF patients as IVG will be less invasive and cheaper over time. Regulators around the world are preparing for the arrival of IVG; nonhuman primate births will be the first milestone. After these safety studies, IVG will enter trials and become available at different rates around the world depending on each country's regulatory environment.
Bio: Travis cofounded Ovelle after he and his wife had trouble conceiving their second child. As they navigated IVF clinics, Travis began questioning why so few alternatives to traditional IVF existed. This led him to discover in vitro gametogenesis—the process of creating eggs from ordinary cells—and to team with Merrick Pierson Smela, a scientist from Harvard's Church Lab whose research on inducing meiosis in stem cells laid the groundwork for Ovelle's technology. Previously, Travis spent over a decade on Wall Street as a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs and running a group at Balyasny. science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adu0384
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*About The Foresight Institute*
The Foresight Institute is a research organization and non-profit that supports the beneficial development of high-impact technologies. Since our founding in 1986 on a vision of guiding powerful technologies, we have continued to evolve into a many-armed organization that focuses on several fields of science and technology that are too ambitious for legacy institutions to support. From molecular nanotechnology, to brain-computer interfaces, space exploration, cryptocommerce, and AI, Foresight gathers leading minds to advance research and accelerate progress toward flourishing futures.
*We are entirely funded by your donations. If you enjoy what we do please consider donating through our donation page:* foresight.org/donate
*Visit* https://foresight.org, *subscribe to our channel for more videos or join us here:*
*• Twitter:* twitter.com/foresightinst
*• Facebook:* facebook.com/foresightinst
*• LinkedIn:* linkedin.com/company/foresight-institute
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*Timecodes*
00:00 Welcome
00:43 What Is IVG
01:28 Why Fertility Is Falling
05:00 From IVF to IVG
06:24 How IVG Works
10:10 Mouse Results So Far
11:26 Three Approaches to IVG
16:00 The Transcription Factor Method
18:42 Progress on Key Bottlenecks
21:12 Safety and Quality Control
23:58 Regulation and Roadmap
27:32 Q&A
*Apply to join Foresight Biotech & Health Extension program:* foresight.org/focus-areas/longevity-biotechnology
A group of scientists, entrepreneurs, funders, and institutional allies who cooperate to advance biotechnology to reverse aging and extend human healthspan. This group is sponsored by 100 Plus Capital. 100pluscap.com
*Travis Potter | Babies From a Blood Draw*
Abstract: In vitro gametogenesis (IVG), the creation of eggs and sperm from ordinary cells, could fundamentally reshape reproductive medicine. Almost a decade ago, mouse studies proved the concept, and researchers are now pursuing two main strategies to translate IVG to humans: cytokine signaling and transcription factor overexpression. Each involves distinct tradeoffs in efficiency, safety, and scalability. We will examine where the science stands today and what the near future holds. The potential market starts with women for whom IVF egg retrieval is ineffective, but will eventually expand to include most IVF patients as IVG will be less invasive and cheaper over time. Regulators around the world are preparing for the arrival of IVG; nonhuman primate births will be the first milestone. After these safety studies, IVG will enter trials and become available at different rates around the world depending on each country's regulatory environment.
Bio: Travis cofounded Ovelle after he and his wife had trouble conceiving their second child. As they navigated IVF clinics, Travis began questioning why so few alternatives to traditional IVF existed. This led him to discover in vitro gametogenesis—the process of creating eggs from ordinary cells—and to team with Merrick Pierson Smela, a scientist from Harvard's Church Lab whose research on inducing meiosis in stem cells laid the groundwork for Ovelle's technology. Previously, Travis spent over a decade on Wall Street as a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs and running a group at Balyasny. science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adu0384
══════════════════════════════════════
*About The Foresight Institute*
The Foresight Institute is a research organization and non-profit that supports the beneficial development of high-impact technologies. Since our founding in 1986 on a vision of guiding powerful technologies, we have continued to evolve into a many-armed organization that focuses on several fields of science and technology that are too ambitious for legacy institutions to support. From molecular nanotechnology, to brain-computer interfaces, space exploration, cryptocommerce, and AI, Foresight gathers leading minds to advance research and accelerate progress toward flourishing futures.
*We are entirely funded by your donations. If you enjoy what we do please consider donating through our donation page:* foresight.org/donate
*Visit* https://foresight.org, *subscribe to our channel for more videos or join us here:*
*• Twitter:* twitter.com/foresightinst
*• Facebook:* facebook.com/foresightinst
*• LinkedIn:* linkedin.com/company/foresight-institute
══════════════════════════════════════
*Timecodes*
00:00 Welcome
00:43 What Is IVG
01:28 Why Fertility Is Falling
05:00 From IVF to IVG
06:24 How IVG Works
10:10 Mouse Results So Far
11:26 Three Approaches to IVG
16:00 The Transcription Factor Method
18:42 Progress on Key Bottlenecks
21:12 Safety and Quality Control
23:58 Regulation and Roadmap
27:32 Q&A
