Stem cell centre to focus on transitional research

December 7, 2005

VELLORE: The broad mandate for the country's first Centre for Stem Cell Research, the foundation for which was laid by President Abdul Kalam last week here at the Christian Medical College campus, is to develop transitional (application-oriented) research with stem cells derived from bone marrow and umbilical cord blood, according to George Chandy, director of CMC.

The preliminary work for the Rs 20-crore project, funded by the Department of Bio-technology, (one of the largest scientific grants ever sanctioned by the Indian Government) has already begun. The centre is expected to focus on two types of stem cells - haematopoietic and mesenchymal - for the treatment of variety of disease conditions.

"One of the challenges in this field is to understand the mechanisms that affect and control the processes by which these cells change into differentiated cells and organs and how they multiplied and maintained their numbers without such differentiation," Chandy said.

Stem cells are the foundation cells for every organ, tissue and cell in the body. They are like sophisticated microchips that can ultimately be programmed to perform any number of specialised tasks. They are undifferentiated and blank cells that do not have a specific function.

"Under proper conditions, these cells begin to develop into specialised tissues and organs. In addition, they become self-sustaining and can replicate themselves for long periods of time," Alok Srivatsava, head of the department of Haematology, who will be heading the new centre, said.

These unique characteristics make stem cells very promising for supplying cells to treat debilitating diseases like Alzhemier's, cancer, Parkinson's, type-1 diabetes, spinal cord injury, stroke, burns, heart disorders, osteoarthrites and rheumatoid arthritis.

Mesenchymal stem cells have been shown to have the ability to alter immune function in addition to their immense tissue regenerative properties. This function can be exploited to induce tolerance to the transplanted organ in patients undergoing organ transplantation with the hope that this may reduce the need for immuno-suppressive drugs that are often given life-long after such treatment. These studies will be carried out over the next two to three years.

In keeping with the current state of clinical research in this field, human studies to assess the regenerative potential of these cells in cardiac disorders would be initiated, while animal models for neurological and gastrointestinal disorders would also be evaluated.

The centre will have state-of-the-art research laboratories that will study and process stem cells according to the norms stipulated for clinical studies.

Full-time scientific faculty with five members, supported by research fellows and technical staff would be manning the centre. The existing faculty of CMC would also be involved in research at this centre.

Copyright © 2005 newindpress.com.

This article posted January 1, 2006.