Infertility poses a significant challenge for numerous couples in Europe, with an estimated 15% experiencing difficulties in achieving conception. Contributing factors include delayed childbearing, lifestyle changes, and environmental influences, which have led to an increasing prevalence of infertility. Assisted reproduction techniques play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges and offering hope to couples struggling with infertility. Recognizing the importance of tackling this global health issue, the European Commission has funded scientific projects such as MicroFSMA and RepBiotech, which are dedicated to advancing the field of assisted reproduction and finding innovative solutions.

The collaborative efforts between Prof. Pillar Coy's research group at the University of Murcia and the R&D Unit of Beez Biotech, led by Dr. Shiva K Shukla, have resulted in the establishment of the sMARTs cluster. This collaboration aims to disseminate their research findings and outcomes effectively. With a shared commitment to knowledge exchange, both research groups work together to ensure their valuable insights reach a wider audience.   The sMARTs cluster is supported by the Horizon Result Booster, an initiative of the European Commission aiming to maximize the impact of publicly funded research within the EU. ICONS, an organization specialized in the development and delivery of complete solutions to communicate, disseminate, and exploit research results, is actively involved in planning and developing the Cluster’s joint dissemination strategy.