Web based regenerative medicine to link NCRM, Chennai, India with University of Toronto, Canada

Scientists & Clinicians can enroll in the regenerative medicine course
Lectures from the University of Toronto to train 10 scientists at the NCRM

20 August 2008. Starting on September 11th, 2008, 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). The enrollment is open until the 31st of August for 10 PhD students in biology, medicine, dentistry and the teaching staff. This program is the first in the country to offer an international level comprehensive training in regenerative medicine and a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Dr. Samuel JK Abraham, Director, NCRM and Dr. Gary Levy, Director of the TPRM and of the Multi-organ Transplant Program of the University of Toronto Hospital.

The TPRM is affiliated with the University of Toronto, McMaster University and Ottawa University, and will give a series of 30 lectures in this program and participants will get a certificate from the Stem Cell Network, Canada / University of Toronto. 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.

According to Dr. Gary Levy, there are few scientists and practitioners in regenerative medicine, and no inclusive training program exists in this important field in Canada or--to his knowledge--anywhere in the world. The mandate of the TPRM is to ensure that there will be qualified researchers and practitioners to develop and practice in this field which has the potential to greatly reduce medical and social costs, to provide qualified, innovative personnel for the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, and to prolong and improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of patients.

There is no course fee to be paid this year as it has been waived by the TPRM and 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 my send their CV to admin@ncrm.org