With a view to develop and implement an educational curriculum in the innovative science of regenerative medicine, the Nichi-in Centre for Regenerative Medicine (NCRM), Chennai has started knowledge based training programme in regenerative medicine (TPRM).

The 7th batch of the programme will commence in September and the course is affiliated to three foreign universities, University of Toronto, University of Ottawa and McMaster University in Canada.

Regenerative Medicine is an evolving branch of medicine which has great hopes to provide solutions to incurable diseases using stem cells, progenitor cells and adult cells with regenerative capability. This, being a 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.

At NCRM in Chennai, lectures are transmitted via webcast from the University of Toronto campus. The programme has a series of approximately 30 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 July 15th, 2014 for students, scholars of PhD and faculty of biology, biotechnology, medicine, veterinary sciences, and dentistry.

NCRM is the first in the country to offer an international level comprehensive training in regenerative medicine. The training programme will provide research trainees with knowledge and skills to compete globally in both academia and industry. It will produce the next generation  scientists and highly qualified personnel to meet the needs of the international community’s healthcare and industry sectors, said Dr. Samuel JK Abraham, director of the centre.

The previous six batches had a maximum of 10 scholars in each batch with equal participation from basic science researchers and clinicians, who upon completion have started several research projects. Participants upon successful completion and obtaining adequate credits in the exams conducted will receive certificates from the centre, he added.