INDO-GERMAN FORUM ON REGENERATIVE MEDICINE

On the occasion of the BioAsia which takes place on 3-6th February 2010, the RMIG in cooperation with its partners in India organises the first Meeting of the Indo-German Forum on Regenerative Medicine on 5th February. The workshop focuses on the topic of “Translation” – discussing regulations & procedures in Germany and India, presenting the unique expertise of Germanys Technologies needed in the field of stem cell therapies, and to discuss latest clinical trials in Germany & India on cardiac diseases.

Interested in attending the Workshop or joining the IGF on RegMed – Contact: tanja.klett@charite.de

In February 2010 the RMIG-2-India-Project, which is funded by the BMBF invites German scientists in the field of RegMed with a special focus on stem cell research to a trip to three of the most important research clusters of stem cell research in India. Pune, Bangalore and Hyderabad with their excellent institutes in stem cell biology are on the agenda of this journey to provide first hand information on the research, infrastructure and finally to discuss/focus areas of joint research projects.

Dr. Pawan Kumar Gupta, Dean of Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine Bangalore gave a presentation of new therapeutic approaches by using human mesenchymal stem cells in the area of neurological diseases at the World Congress on Regenerative Medicine – WCRM – in Leipzig.

The WCRM took place for the fourth time from October 29th to October 31st, 2009. and is organized by the TRM/University of Leipzig and the Fraunhofer IZI.

On invitation of Prof. Tarnok (TRM/Univ of Leipzig) and Joeri Borstlap (Cooridnator/BCRT@Charité), Dr. Gupta visited both research clusters. MIRM is looking for a location to open a branch in Europe.

Besides Dr. Gupta had the opportunity to learn about ongoing research projects, facilities and collaboration interests in Leipzig and Berlin. At the BCRT he gave a lecture on the latest clinical applications of stem cell therapies conducted by MIRM and stempeutics.

On invitation of the BMBF the RMIG attended the Bangalore Bio 2009 at the German Pavilion between 18.-20. June 2009. Beside the participation at the biotechnology fair the RMIG delegation took the opportunity to follow up meetings of contacts and to explore opportunities regarding future collaborations in the field of research and development – with a focus on Bangalore and Hyderabad. Due to the excellent scientific infrastructure – IISc, NCBS; JNCASR etc. – in Bangalore as well as in Hyderabad first ideas of joint research projects.

The participation at one of Indias´ biggest Biotech-Fairs had been a good choice to meet representatives of science and industry to discuss the potential of projects in research as well as translation of new therapeutics approaches. Bangalore with its outstanding and internationally recognized research institutions and promising companies in the field of cell therapies, biotech and bioinformatics is beside Hyderabad one of the most vibrant spots for RegMed in India.

Prof. Attila Tárnok, from the Translational Centre for Regenerative Medicine (TRM), Leipzig, who followed the invitation of the RMIG-office, is convinced regarding the potential of Indo-German collaborations:
“As our individual meetings made clear, there is a distinct interest in bilateral cooperation in the field of basic research as well as in the area of product development. For several years I have followed the developments in India with as specific focus on cytometry and those areas are emerging.”

And Joeri Borstlap, Co-ordinator of the RMIG and BCRT, Berlin, adds: „We are convinced that at the end of this project some collaboration projects will be set into motion. We also see the need to be present regularly to follow up contacts, to provide assistance in funding and preparation of proposals and project as well as knowledge management.“

In May 2009 the RMIG-2-India-marketing Campaign which is funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) started with the preparations of the first activity scheduled in June. The RMIG project is part of the official campaign 'Research in Germany – Land of Ideas' with a specific focus on cooperation between India and Germany. In this context the RMIG co-ordination office will build a sustainable bilateral Indo-German network in this field. Through targeted marketing measures the aim of this network is to prepare the ground for joint research projects, the acquisition of human resources and the joint development of therapies for India’s emerging market.

BILD: Bild von Harald Stachelscheid/Junge Wissenschaftlerin vor Mikroskop/Monitor