TIFR boost for stem cell research

The National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) in Bangalore is setting up the country's first specialised institute for stem-cell research.

Until now, research in stem-cell therapy was being carried out in an uncoordinated manner at a few hospitals in the country. Now, the centrally sponsored Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (ISCBRM) will be the umbrella organisation for all such research across the country.

The NCBS, which operates under the aegis of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai, is setting up the new institute, which will provide a platform for scientists from other institutes and hospitals to do research in stem cells.

S Ramaswamy, dean of the institute, said, "This is the first time the department of biotechnology in the government of India is starting a dedicated institute for stem-cell research. There was no controlled and systematic study of stem cells. Now all research projects taken up by any hospital or institute will come under this institute's umbrella."

The Christian Medical College (CMC) in Chennai, which is involved in the global research in stem-cell applications, will collaborate with the new institute. So will hospitals like LV Prasad Eye Hospital, which had made a breakthrough in stem-cell therapy. Many hospitals across the country, including a couple from Mumbai, will participate in the institute's projects.

For the past three months, the institute has been integrating resources to take up major research projects. According to Ramaswamy, LV Prasad Eye Hospital is the only one to have conducted a significant project in stem-cell research, using the technology to treat a degenerative eye disease.

"The biggest project, apart from ophthalmology, was in cardiac stem cells for a cardiac disease, which will now be completed under the stem cell institute," he said.
Maharashtra's first stem-cell genetic research centre was set up by the Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital at Sion in  Mumbai.