24 June 2010. The CIHR Training program in Regenerative Medicine (TPRM),

affiliated with the University of Toronto, University of Ottawa, and McMaster University in Canada, is accepting applications for interested scholars who wish to enroll in the 3rd batch of the training program to start on September 16, 2010 at NCRM, Chennai, India and Malaysia.

Regenerative Medicine is an evolving branch of medicine which has great hopes to provide solutions to incurable diseases using stem cells and progenitor cells. Though there are great hopes, the steps we should take should be careful enough following all scientific, ethical and clinical parameters based on evidence for safety and efficacy. This being an unique branch of medicine with constant need for upgrading and interaction with basic sciences and translational studies, the TPRM provides a platform for basic scientists and clinicians through web-based training. Taking place at the Chennai based Nichi-In Centre for Regenerative Medicine (NCRM), lectures are transmitted via webcast from the University of Toronto campus under the Training Program in Regenerative Medicine (TPRM).　This programme has a series of 34 lectures covering primary organ failures, sources of cells for probable treatment, steps to ensure safety, requirement of ethical guidelines, translational studies and future prospects in clinical application and further research. Enrollment is open until August 31st, 2010 for students, scholars of PhD and teaching staff of biology, biotechnology, medicine, veterinary sciences, and dentistry.

This partnership 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, University of Toronto Transplant Institute).

Participants upon successful completion and adequate credits in the exams conducted will receive a certificate from the TPRM.  Students who wish to apply must be fluent in English and ensure a 100% attendance. 

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.

The CIHR Training Program in Regenerative Medicine (TPRM) is a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) funded strategic training program that was established in 2002. The vision of the TPRM is to develop and implement an educational curriculum in the innovative science of regenerative medicine, which will provide research trainees with the knowledge and skills to compete globally in both academia and industry. The TPRM will produce the next generation of scientists and highly qualified personnel to meet the needs of Canada and the international community’s healthcare and industry sectors; it will instill in trainees an interdisciplinary and team-based approach to the understanding and treatment of organ failure; and will develop and offer an innovative curriculum to support the development of well-rounded health researchers and personnel. 

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 and second batch each had 10 scholars, 5 basic scientists and 5 clinicians, who upon completion have started several research projects.

Those who want to join may send their CV to admin@ncrm.org

Related news in the media: New Indian Express