Welcome to Ember’s cutting-edge fertility lab, where science, compassion and preparedness unite to bring your dreams of parenthood to life. Our state-of-the-art facilities, advanced technology and unwavering commitment ensure that patients receive the highest quality fertility treatment experience possible.

Excellent fertility lab certifications and regulatory compliance

Ember’s lab maintains the highest standards of regulatory compliance and is certified by The Joint Commission (with zero findings, which is rare) and certified by the federal government’s Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). We successfully pass inspections from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, The Joint Commission, and the Food and Drug Administration every two years – without any deficiencies.

This reflects our unwavering commitment to quality, safety and excellence in patient care. Get ready to embark on your journey with confidence and optimism, knowing that our expert team is here to make your dream a reality.

Advanced fertility lab technology for optimized fertility treatment

Ember’s commitment to excellence is reflected in our investment in advanced laboratory technology. We have designed our lab with advanced equipment and implement cutting-edge techniques to enhance the success rates of these fertility treatments and services:

• In vitro fertilization (IVF).
• Evaluation and safe storage of eggs & sperm used in IVF.
• Semen analysis.
• Sperm preparation for intrauterine insemination (IUI).
• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
• Advanced culture processes for embryo development.
• Ongoing monitoring of all cryopreserved specimens (see time-lapse embryo monitoring below).
• Egg freezing and thawing.
• Embryo freezing and thawing.
• Sperm freezing.

Lab expertise in all procedures from standard to advanced

We follow established best practices in all laboratory procedures conducted by our expert embryologists and andrologists, coordinating the work of those specialists in the IVF process. Lab Director Dr. Avisa Asemi, Ph.D., HCLD, is certified as a High-Complexity Clinical Lab Director by the American Association of Bioanalysts as well as other advanced certifications.

The lab is skilled at problem solving, critical thinking and attaining excellent pregnancy rates. Patients can trust in our commitment to delivering exceptional care and highly effective lab services.

EFC embryology lab routinely performs a wide range of advanced procedures that go above and beyond standard practice. We frequently handle complex cases, including receiving and managing Day 3 embryos, oocytes or blastocysts from international patients for specialized procedures such as trophectoderm biopsy, which we perform in house.

Adept at challenging cases involving sperm and eggs

We are experienced in preparing and processing testicular sperm extraction (TESE) samples for patients with non-obstructive azoospermia and obstructive azoospermia, extracting viable sperm cells from testicular tissue for use in ICSI.

Our lab is equipped to conduct DNA fragmentation index testing as part of a comprehensive assessment of sperm quality. Moreover, we are skilled in generating blastocysts from TESE-derived sperm and from samples with severely compromised sperm quality.

Additionally, our team conducts oocyte retrievals in patients with severely diminished ovarian reserve (e.g., AMH levels below 0.5 ng/mL), and we successfully culture embryos to the blastocyst stage, even in these challenging cases.

Time-Lapse photography for advanced embryo monitoring

One of the remarkable advancements in our lab is the implementation of time-lapse technology. This groundbreaking technique allows us to gain unprecedented insights into the development of embryos. By capturing images of embryos at regular intervals, we can closely monitor their growth and select the most viable embryos for transfer.

This non-invasive monitoring approach provides valuable information about the timing and quality of embryo development, significantly improving the success rates of fertility treatments.

Preimplantation genetic testing: maximizing success and minimizing risk

Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) is an advanced genetic screening technique available for IVF embryos only. PGT allows us to assess embryos for chromosomal abnormalities or genetic disorders before they are transferred to the uterus.

A genetic abnormality in an embryo is a primary reason for implantation failure and miscarriage, whether that is a natural embryo or one created through IVF. Such abnormalities also are a prime cause of birth defects in a child.

By selecting embryos with the highest genetic integrity, we can maximize the chances of a successful pregnancy while minimizing the risk of certain genetic conditions in an offspring.

We utilize an outside lab specialized in next generation sequencing to provide the best genetic evaluation of the embryo biopsy possible. Upon patient request, we also perform re-biopsy of embryos to confirm or verify results obtained from testing by genetics laboratories outside the U.S.

Sperm, embryo and egg freezing & storage: preserving possibilities

At Ember Fertility Center your safety – and the protection of your valuable frozen reproductive tissue – is our top priority. Our fertility lab offers egg freezing, embryo freezing and sperm freezing and storage services, also known as cryopreservation. This process allows us to preserve embryos for future use, giving patients the flexibility and reassurance to plan their family on their own timeline.

Once embryos are frozen, they are securely stored in our cryogenic storage facilities, designed to maintain a consistent and optimal environment for long-term specimen preservation. All liquid nitrogen tanks holding specimens have multiple alarm systems always monitoring temperatures.

If the temperature goes out of normal range, the system sends text messages and phone calls to three Ember lab staffers. Both labs are equipped with security cameras.

Two advanced cyropreservation monitoring systems

We are proud to go above and beyond industry standards by implementing not one, but two state-of-the-art liquid nitrogen monitoring systems to ensure the highest level of care and security.

Temperature-Based monitoring

Our system continuously tracks both internal and external temperatures of each storage tank. Even the slightest change – less than a single degree – triggers an instant alert to our team, allowing for immediate action.

Weight-Based monitoring

Our Boreas advanced security system monitors the precise weight of each tank when full and detects any deviation in the normal daily evaporation of liquid nitrogen. Any unusual change sends an alert to our staff, helping us identify and address issues proactively—before they can impact the safety of your samples.

These two systems work in tandem to provide 24/7 real-time monitoring, with digital access from secure computers and mobile devices. This means our expert team can track tank conditions at all times, ensuring rapid response, no matter when or where. In addition, our liquid nitrogen tanks are earthquake secured.

In the rare event of any irregularity, our team is alerted immediately and responds without delay. This continuous vigilance reflects the deep responsibility we feel in caring for your future. With advanced monitoring systems, backup power supply and strict quality control measures, we ensure the safety and viability of embryos, eggs and sperm throughout their storage duration.

Fertility lab disaster preparedness: prepared for any emergency, including earthquakes

Recent earthquakes in Southern California remind us all how unpredictable natural disasters can be. We’re proud to say that during an earthquake on April 14, 2025, everything remained fully operational and no issues occurred. Our systems worked exactly as intended.

At our clinic, your embryos, eggs and sperm are safe. Our embryology and andrology laboratories are built not just for precision science, but also for resilience. We know we are entrusted with some of the most precious materials in your life – and disaster preparedness is part of how we care for them.

Fertility lab plans in place for your peace of mind

From day one, our lab was built with disaster preparedness as a core priority. We use 24/7 monitoring, digital quality control systems and reinforced equipment setups. The lab is positioned strategically on the secure first floor, eliminating the need for an elevator, which is a huge advantage in case of disaster.

This ground-level placement also enhances stability, minimizing vibrations for delicate procedures like ICSI and biopsy. Our labs have five entrances/exits, two of which are external and used exclusively by Ember staff, making it easier to get in and out in case of emergency.

Emergency power systems

All critical equipment – including incubators, cryostorage tanks and monitoring devices – are backed by tested generators and uninterruptible power supply systems to ensure continuous power, even during outages.

Reinforced earthquake-safe design

All key lab equipment is securely anchored and located in a facility designed to withstand seismic activity. Regular safety assessments are part of our routine operations.

Trained and ready fertility lab team

Our staff is trained in detailed emergency protocols. We conduct regular drills and follow clear communication procedures to act quickly and effectively in any scenario.

Fertility specimen data safety

All patient records, lab logs and monitoring data are securely backed up offsite and in protected cloud systems. Your information is always safe and accessible.