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India’s First Institute of Regenerative Medicine
Tuesday,
21 August 2007
The Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine (MIRM), a new initiative of
Manipal University, has been created to transform stem cell science into
reality by bringing together a group of outstanding scientists and
providing them with an exceptional research environment. MIRM will be a
world leading centre for basic stem cell biology, aiming at critical
advances in the field through a program of ground breaking innovation.
This initiative will facilitate cutting edge research in Stem Cells and
Tissue Engineering and deliver it in a clinical setting, a strategy
commonly referred to as a bench to bedside approach. MIRM is a constituent
institution of Manipal University located at Bangalore.
MIRM has launched a Masters level degree and training programme to equip
students from biological and/or medical related backgrounds with specialist
knowledge and the research skills to pursue a career in the field of regenerative
medicine. The course is focused on strategies to repair, replace and
ultimately regenerate various tissues and organs to solve major clinical
problems. Regenerative medicine as a discipline shows enormous potential
economically and there is a global demand for specific multidisciplinary
training in this area.
The MIRM centre was inaugurated on August 18th by Dr H. S. Ballal, Pro-Chancellor,
Manipal University in the presence of Dr Ranjan Pai, MD & CEO, Manipal
Education and Medical Group and Dr Raj Warrier, Vice Chancellor, Manipal
University.
During the Press Conference of MIRM, Dr Vinod Bhat, Registrar, Manipal
University said that:
“The MSc. degree from MIRM is the
first of its kind in the country and the Asia/Pacific region; in fact very
few universities internationally offer such an extensive program. After
obtaining the masters degree, the students can register for a PhD, however
the program is also of value to students wishing to progress in the
pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology companies or clinical applications”.
Mr. B. N. Manohar, President, Stempeutics Research, said that:
“MIRM students can leverage on
existing industrial support, via Stempeutics Research Private Limited (SRPL),
a commercial entity of Manipal group. Stempeutics Research Private Limited
(SRPL) is a leading stem cell company of India, focused on research and
product development of human stem cell technology in the field of
regenerative medicine”.
Dr. Satish Totey, Director, MIRM said that:
“MIRM boasts of excellent laboratory
facilities, with state-of-the-art infrastructure and equipment. Each
student has the space to perform their own experiments. The institute being
associated with a hospital gives the added advantage of performing
procedures like aphaeresis, bone marrow transplantation etc. The MSc.
degree renders its graduates productive from the day of their graduation.
It does away with the need for any form of training as the course is more
skill-intensive. The academic year of 2007 has already started with 30
students enrolled for the course.”
Dr Vijay Sharma, Dean, MIRM said that:
“Regenerative medicine is a rapidly
emerging area of biomedical research with enormous therapeutic potential.
As the academic research base broadens and the industry begins to adapt to
new technologies, the demand for skills in this area is rapidly increasing,
resulting in excellent opportunities for graduates with training in this
area. Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine is at the forefront of
Stem Cell research in the Asia/Pacific Region.”
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