Frontier Tissueline, the in-house bio science R&D unit of Chennai based Frontier Lifeline Hospital has commenced its main research unit, dedicated for advanced research in Tissue Engineering and Biological Cardiovascular implants, at Tidco Centre for Lifesciences (TICEL) Biopark.

The bioscience unit, which has already produced and processed three biomedical materials, the bovine pericardium, porcine pulmonary artery and bovine jugular vein as conduits for human use, will conduct more research on biomedical materials with a vision to develop biological pacemaker. The unit has started research for six more biomedical materials, in which two projects are on stem cell and four on tissue engineering including development of amniotic membrane, according to research unit sources.

The unit will also engage in making of viable scaffolds for autografts as well as umbilical cord blood storage, along with arranging facilities for bioscience students through periodic scientific seminars and "hands on" experience facilities for M.Tech Biotechnology students, informed Dr K.M. Cherian, CEO and chairman, Frontier Lifeline in a press conference.

The Frontier Tissueline, in a unique programme of M.Tech Medical Biotechnology in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Chennai, will offer research facilities to the students to get expertise in biotechnology. The unit has already developed biocompatible synthetic valeved conduit and xenograft as cardiovascular implants, which no other Asian countries have produced so far, according to Cherian.

The company is also planning to set up India's first Bio-Science park to cater the whole of South East Asia for expert training. Though he refused to comment more about the park, Cherian informed that the project is at consideration and the park will be at Chennai.

The three cardiovascular conduits produced and processed by the unit have passed bio-compatibility and mechanical testing and are undergoing pilot clinical trial. The hospital has implanted 75 bovine pericardial patches as cardiovascular patch material, 48 bovine jogular veins and 8 porcine pulmonary artery conduits as cardiovascular conduits successfully, according to the hospital sources.

The genetic lab of the unit is conducting an advanced research on gene chip, leading to a major event in preventive cardiology and treating the cardiological ailments. The new unit, with an investment of Rs 45 lakh, will enable the company to come up with more low cost biomedical products soon, commented Cherian.