Spectrum

The Spectrum course is designed to guide fertility specialists, IVF clinic staff, genetic counselors, and prospective parents through every aspect of Natera’s Spectrum preimplantation genetic testing service — what it does, when to use it, how to interpret and act on results, and how to integrate the test into care workflows with patient-centered communication. You’ll begin with background on reproductive genetic risk: why many embryos that look normal under the microscope can still have chromosomal abnormalities (aneuploidy), structural rearrangements (SR), or single-gene (monogenic) conditions; how these defects impact implantation, pregnancy loss, and live birth rates. The course will explain how parent carrier screening (e.g. via Horizon), family history, or known genetic mutations guide the need for PGT-M, PGT-SR, or combining PGT-M with PGT-A (syndromic testing of both genes and chromosomes).

Next, you’ll explore the mechanism and methodology: how Spectrum works, including embryo biopsy (often trophectoderm biopsy at the blastocyst stage), how DNA from embryos is evaluated to detect aneuploidy (PGT-A), single gene mutations (PGT-M), structural rearrangements (PGT-SR), and how results are reported. You’ll learn about parental sample collection (blood or cheek swabs), parental support technologies, custom test development (how Spectrum can custom-design assays based on known gene mutations), and how accurate (>99%) the methods are for detecting both chromosomal abnormalities and specific inherited mutations. You’ll also understand how Spectrum detects mosaicism (mixed cell populations) and how that influences decision-making.

A substantial module will cover the clinical use cases and determining “who should consider Spectrum”: couples with known single-gene disease risk, carriers identified via Horizon or family history; patients with recurrent IVF failure; advanced maternal age; multiple miscarriages; structural chromosome rearrangements in one of the parents; or individuals wanting to maximize the chance of a healthy embryo transfer. You’ll also see limitations: what Spectrum can’t detect, how embryo biopsy might affect embryos, how test turnaround times and embryo freezing cycles factor in (e.g. that PGT results require cryopreservation so fresh transfers may not always be possible).

You’ll move into interpreting results: understanding what euploid vs aneuploid embryos are; what “affected,” “carrier,” “unaffected,” or “mutation-negative” results mean; how mosaic embryos are reported; how to decide which embryo(s) are optimal for transfer; recognizing when findings are extraneous (no immediate action needed) vs those needing immediate discussion with patients; how to interpret structural rearrangements or parental chromosomal rearrangements; and how to use results in clinical counseling.

Then, key content is on patient communication: how to explain the process of PGT-A, PGT-M, and PGT-SR in understandable terms, including embryo biopsy, what aneuploidy means, what single-gene mutation risk is, what mosaicism means, what limitations exist, what results cannot predict, and what follow up diagnostic or prenatal testing still may be needed. Also how to set expectations (sometimes no euploid embryos are available, sometimes transfer isn’t possible), and how to provide emotional support through IVF challenges.

You’ll also receive product background and evidence base: studies validating Spectrum, data on implantation rates, miscarriage reduction, time to pregnancy improvements, how combining PGT-M and PGT-A improves outcomes, accuracy metrics, evidence about mosaicism, structural rearrangement detection, parental support, custom test performance, and how test development is customized per-couple if needed. Reference materials will include the Spectrum patient brochure, clinical resources, research publications about embryo aneuploidy, structural rearrangements, etc. Natera+4Natera+4Natera+4

There will be modules on ordering, logistics, and workflow: how to begin with carrier or familial risk assessment; requirements for parental sample; determining custom gene mutations (if applicable); how the IVF cycle schedule aligns with sample collection and embryo biopsy; how embryos are handled, biopsied, preserved/frozen (vitrification), shipped to Natera for testing; expected turnaround time (often 7-10 business days after samples are received) for embryo biopsy results; how clinics decide which embryo(s) to transfer based on results; what happens with embryos that are mosaic or abnormal; what regulatory, ethical, and insurance/payer considerations exist. Natera+2Natera+2

Engagement of learners will come through mixed content: videos, microlearning modules, case studies (for example, a couple with single gene risk, a case with structural rearrangement in a parent, mosaics in embryos, age-related aneuploidy), downloadable reference documents (e.g. Spectrum patient brochure, test condition / gene lists, sample reports, FAQs), interactive decision-making scenarios, and Q&A sections.

For integrating into practice and maximizing impact, the course will include implementation strategies: how clinics can train staff (embryology, IVF lab, reproductive endocrinologists, genetic counselors) on Spectrum; how sales or clinical liaisons can introduce Spectrum to providers; using website links, educational content, email campaigns to encourage referral or uptake; embed training into clinic portals; use swimlanes like “Get Started → Intro to Genetics → Carrier Risk / Gene Mutation Assessment → Product Module: Spectrum → Ordering & Interpretation → Discussion with Patient / Embryologist / Genetic Counselor → Embryo Transfer Decision → Post-transfer follow up.”

By the end of this course, participants will be able to recognize when Spectrum is the right PGT-tool to recommend, understand the full range of what Spectrum can test (PGT-A, PGT-M, PGT-SR), order the test properly (parental samples, embryo biopsy logistics, timing), interpret results with knowledge of mosaicism, structural rearrangements, and mutation status; distinguish between findings that need immediate action vs those that are lower priority; effectively counsel patients and families; set realistic expectations; and integrate Spectrum into IVF practice to improve implantation rates, reduce miscarriage risk, and optimize chances for healthy pregnancy.