Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission
Department of Science and Technology,
Government of Gujarat
Stem Cell Training and Research Centre
Recently stem cell research is making headlines in the world of science. Stem cells offer exciting
promise for future therapies, and intensive research to overcome significant technical hurdles
for this “Technology of hope”. Globally and at national level there have been huge investments
in public as well as private sector. To establishing stem cell training and research Centre,
Adopting of proven stem cell technology under ICMR Ethical guidelines, Initiating research in
therapeutics, developing skilled manpower, Establishing stem cell banking and research centers
in medical colleges / institutions.
Relevance:
According to the WHO Health Statistics-2013 the major cause of death in the Indian population
is going to be frame shift from communicable to non-communicable diseases like cancer,
cardiovascular, diabetes, stroke etc. Conventional health care strategy has limitations in all
these conditions Stem cell technology offers therapeutic potential in all these mentioned health
conditions. Hence the adoption of this high end technology for the betterment of population
health becomes inevitable. India as a whole is having market potential of over $ 540 millions
and more than 20 research institutes working in the different area of stem cell research while
Gujarat has no dedicated research and training institute in the area of stem cell. Although
Government of Gujarat has approved 2-3 stem cell transplant facilities in various government
Medical college/ hospital but without the core base of research and training it becomes
incomplete. Hence the complementary element of Stem cell research and training institute
becomes inevitable.
Status
So far GSBTM has conducted dedicated brain storming session on Developing Stem Cell
research in Gujarat as blueprint. Apart specialised training program for the medicos of Gujarat
in the area of Stem cell Research has been implemented since 2009 and more than 50 doctors
are trained.
Output
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In the first year the centre will impart training to the 50 medicos and 100 Paramedics to
the interested Government Hospitals.
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It will initiate banking of the cord-blood samples from Gujarat
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Institute will initiate research in the area of Adult stem cells and permissible area as per
DBT-ICMR guidelines.
Duties and responsibilities of Junior Research Fellow
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Planning of Stem Cell training and workshop for clinicians and researchers
Imparting training to state health professionals in area of stem cell research
To establish cell culture facility in the laboratory
Procurement of equipments and consumables for the facility
Developing protocols for stem cell and cord blood banking
To develop efficient methods to produce and enrich various tissue specific human adult
stem cells
7. To develop therapeutic applications on the basis of stem cell research
8. To accquire and implement existing stem cell therapeutic techniques available nationally
and globally