SRMC - Press Release - 28th November

The former President Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam has said that the recent breakthrough research of producing stem cell from human skin, virtually identical to embryonic stem cells would eliminate the danger of immune system rejection and also totally eliminates the hassle of using human reproductive material altogether — no egg, no embryo and no cloning technique at all. Dr. Kalam was inaugurating a stem cell therapy center at Sri Ramachandra University, setup in collaboration with Tri Cell, an affiliate of Life Cell.

Stating that there are still problems like reprogramming procedure which could take many years before it is made s for humans, Dr. Kalam aid, ‘A basic question to be solved is how similar these cells are in behaviour and potential to regular embryonic cells that the scientists have been studying for nearly a decade now. This will be an important problem which should be addressed by the medical community and researchers. The researchers should also think how the new discoveries will change the storage and use philosophy of umbilical cord blood stem cell?”

Speaking on the occasion the Vice Chancellor of Dr. S. Rangaswami said Sri Ramachandra University provides an excellent infrastructure, research, healthcare delivery system and academic studies to foster stem cell therapy to needy patients.

r. S. Abhaya Kumar, Vice Chairman, TRICell said “TRICell is being developed in various stages, which would enable stem cell transplantation for haematological problems and malignancies and also facilitate stem cell transplantations for other specific disorders.”

Mr. V. R. Venkataachalam, Chancellor, SRU took the former President around the Stem Cell Therapy Centre and explained the facilities that are being built up there. He also honoured the guests at the function.

In his vote of thanks, Prof. S. P. Thyagrajan, Director and Chief Advisor Research said the visit of Dr. Kalam will give a big boost to stem cell therapy at SRU.

Earlier Dr. Kalam spent some time with special children and their parents at Vidya Sudha, a learning centre for children with special needs run by Sri Raniachandra University.

T.G.Nallamuthu, Consultant, Media Relations, SRU, 9444265578, nallamuthu@hotmail.com