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newly-formed 'Lifeline Institute of Regenerative Medicine (LIRM)'
will be equipped with the latest stem cell flowcytometry equipment
from Becton Dickenson (BD) Biosciences called 'FACS ARIA' which is a
revolutionary laser facility in the scientific world and is capable
of stem cell analysis, characterisation and sorting. This equipment
is expected to give a big boost to stem cell research in Chennai.
Lifeline Hospitals, Chennai, had embarked on clinical trials
with autologous stem cells for various critical diseases like
spinal injuries, heart failure and liver cyrrhosis a year ago
using the latest stem cell technology. In all cases, the stem
cells are harvested from the patient's own hip bone and the
processed and purified cells are injected back into the spinal
fluid.
The hospital has completed trials and therapies for more than 150
cases of spinal injuries and also 40 cases with liver cyrrhosis and
heart failure. All trials conform to the latest ICMR guidelines and
are performed after clearance from the specially formed IC – SCRT
(Institutional Committee for Stem Cell Research and Therapy) which
is the Ethics Committee, recommended by ICMR for stem cell clinical
trials. These results have been published in the proceedings of
prestigious international meetings and journals like ISCT meeting,
Sydney, Australia, 2007, Stem Cell Summit, Boston, US, 2007, and
journal 'Regenerative Medicine' November 2007.
Dr J S Rajkumar, chairman, Lifeline Group of Hospitals, said,
"Stem cell research has the potential to save life in the case of
incurable diseases like liver cyrrhosis, spinal cord injury, heart
diseases and various chronic diseases like diabetes. Recent
controversies over Embryonic VS Adult stem cells has retarded the
progress for development of new therapies for diseases which cause
untold sufferings to many families". He also stated that, "Tamil
Nadu, in particular Chennai, has an excellent biosciences eco
system, compared to other states of India. Hence, medical
specialists and bio-scientists from Tamil Nadu must put aside their
differences and work towards new discoveries." Dr Rajkumar also
inaugurated the 'Indo Uk Seminar on Regenerative Medicine and Stem
Cell Applications' conducted by Dr Lakshman Yerneni, prominent
scientist from ICMR, Dr D K Mitra from AIIMS, Dr R S Verma, IIT
Madras, Dr H Devaraj from Madras University, Dr R Nadig from Triesta
Sciences, Bangalore, Dr S Vittal and Dr P K Dutta, specialists from
UK Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh and Dr Brian Cobb from the
US.
The seminar was also addressed by Dr P Russo from the SBARRO
Department of Biotechnology on NetVideo, Temple University,
Philadelphia , US. Others who participated included prominent
medical specialists from Chennai, and biotechnology professors from
Jeppiar & Sathyabhama and SRM University. The sessions were
moderated by Dr R Ravi Kumar, clinical director, stem cell unit,
Lifeline Hospitals.
R Rangaraj
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