24 June 2009. The CIHR Training program in Regenerative Medicine (TPRM), based in Toronto, Canada is accepting applications for interested scholars who wish to enroll in the 2nd cycle of training to start this year in September at NCRM, Chennai, India.

A team of basic scientists and clinicians will receive web-based training in regenerative medicine at the Chennai based Nichi-In Centre for Regenerative Medicine (NCRM), through lectures transmitted via webcasting from the University of Toronto campus under the Training Program in Regenerative Medicine (TPRM).　Enrollment is open until August 31st for 10 PhD students biology, medicine, dentistry, and the teaching staff. This program began in 2008 and NCRM is the first in the country to offer an international level comprehensive training in regenerative medicine.  A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Dr. Samuel JK Abraham, (Director, NCRM) and Dr. Gary Levy (Director,  TPRM, Multi-organ Transplant Program, University of Toronto Hospital).

The TPRM is affiliated with the University of Toronto, McMaster University and Ottawa University, and will provide a series of 30 lectures.  Participants will receive a certificate from the TPRM and Stem Cell Network upon successful completion of the course. As this is a graduate course, grading mechanisms in place state that a grade below a 70% is a failure.  Students who wish to apply must be fluent with the English language.  The purpose of this initiative is to encourage a trans-disciplinary, integrative approach to health research through the training of a new generation of researchers capable of combining various approaches in devising innovative solutions for the research and treatment of complex medical problems.

NCRM is an Indo-Japanese joint venture institute and probably the first one of this kind in India and has been chosen to be a partner to TPRM, based on their academic & research credentials especially the starting of a PhD in Regenerative Medicine under Acharya Nagarjuna University. The first batch had 10 scholars, 5 basic scientists and 5 clinicians, who upon completion have started several research projects.

According to Dr. B Justin William, Professor, Dept Of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, Madras Veterinary College, who underwent the TPRM training in the first cycle between September 2008-April 2009, this has helped him establish protocols for applications of stem cells in animals, especially in spinal cord injury for dogs and tendon injury for horses.

Subsequent to these developments, the TANUVAS has submitted an application with the government for establishment of a centre of excellence for animal stem cell banking, research and applications in Madras Veterinary College according to the Vice-Chancellor Dr P.Thangaraju.

There is no course fee to be paid this year as it has been waived by the TPRM.  NCRM has decided to give priority to the attendees of this programme for their PhD registration. Starting from organ failure to repair mechanisms, stem cell biology, ethics and translation, this course will cover extensively the various areas of regenerative medicine, according to Dr Abraham. Those who want to join may send their CV to admin@ncrm.org

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