Researchers at the Columbia University Fertility Center have designed and developed a novel technology that delivers precisely controlled pulses of near-infrared light to human embryos during early development. The team has launched a first-of-its-kind randomized clinical trial to determine whether the system, called HELIOS (Human Embryo Illumination System), can enhance embryo development and improve IVF outcomes.
"Early embryo development is one of the most energy-intensive stages of life," says Zev Williams, director of the Columbia University Fertility Center and principal investigator of the trial. "This trial will test whether precisely timed, low-energy light can safely support embryo development and potentially improve IVF success."
Shining a light on reproductive biology
Near-infrared light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation, has been used in medicine for decades to promote tissue repair and reduce inflammation. Laboratory studies suggest that this type of light can enhance mitochondrial activity and help cells generate the energy needed for growth and function.
But when applied externally, much of this light is absorbed or scattered by surrounding tissues, limiting the amount of energy that can reach the reproductive organs, developing eggs, and embryos.
To overcome this challenge, researchers at the Columbia University Fertility Center designed and developed HELIOS, a technology that enables direct application of precisely controlled near-infrared light to embryos during early development.
Direct delivery with HELIOS
Previous laboratory studies at the Columbia University Fertility Center using mouse and donated human embryos suggest that direct exposure to near-infrared light may enhance cellular energy production and improve progression to the blastocyst stage. These preclinical experiments also helped researchers identify a precise dose of light associated with improved developmental outcomes and no observed adverse effects.
To translate these findings into clinical research, investigators collaborated with a multidisciplinary team of engineers and biophotonics experts at Columbia University and with external collaborators to develop HELIOS, a system designed to deliver targeted near-infrared light exposure directly to embryos during early development. Unlike externally applied light sources, HELIOS enables precise control of wavelength, timing, and dose within the IVF laboratory environment.
"HELIOS is purpose-built to deliver low-energy light to embryos at stages when mitochondrial activity and energy demand are especially high," Williams says. "By supporting cellular energy production during these critical windows, we hope to improve embryo development and increase the number of embryos available for transfer."
Trial details
The randomized, double-blinded HELIOS trial will include hundreds of eggs collected during IVF treatment. Eggs will be randomly assigned to receive targeted light exposure or standard laboratory handling before fertilization. Researchers will then follow the development of resulting embryos and, when possible, compare sibling embryos generated during a single stimulation cycle and cultured under identical laboratory conditions.
The team at Columbia University Fertility Center will evaluate embryo quality, rates of blastocyst formation, and the timing of embryo development, along with laboratory markers of cellular energy production and mitochondrial activity.
"Studying HELIOS in a rigorous clinical trial will help us determine whether targeted light exposure can support embryo metabolism and increase the number of usable embryos created in each IVF cycle," Williams says. "If successful, this approach could represent a new way to safely support embryo development and help more patients achieve a healthy pregnancy."
References
Additional information
Zev Wiliams, MD, PhD, is the Wendy D. Havens Associate Professor of Women's Health and the Chief of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Additional details about the trial may be found here.
