Released on = August 21, 2007, 12:27 am

Press Release Author = Brand-Comm

Industry = Education

Press Release Summary = 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.

Press Release Body = Bangalore, 20th 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 center 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 apheresis, 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 (MIRM) is at the forefront of Stem Cell research in the
Asia/Pacific Region."


For more information, log on to http://www.mirm.manipal.edu



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