Reliance Life, biotech dept tie up for stem cell awareness

The Mukesh Ambani-promoted Reliance Life Sciences has collaborated with the Department of Biotechnology for organising a series of information initiatives in stem cell therapies and regenerative medicines. This is to generate better scientific awareness about the emerging area of research,

As part of this initiative, it would bring in three key national scientific and regulatory agencies "" the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Department of Biotechnology and the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) "" under a common platform, to debate and discuss various issues and concerns related to the area of biotechnology researches and other new-generation life sciences in global perspective.

To facilitate this, the joint forum would initially organise an international symposium on stem cells and regenerative medicines at Reliance's new life sciences complex.

Commenting on this new information initiative, Mukesh Ambani, chairman and managing director, Reliance Industries, said the series of symposiums and workshops is being organised, as the progress of biotechnology "" and the stem cell research in particular "" represents a key area for Reliance Life Sciences and also for the country in its aspiration to be at the forefront of scientific research at the international level.

The series of symposia aims to bring leading experts in various areas of biological sciences from all over the world on a common platform to share developments and deliberate on future trends, for the benefit of scientists, academicians, clinical practitioners, industry professionals and students, said K V Subramaniam, head, Reliance Life Sciences.

The stem cell and regenerative medicine information initiative will also include a week-long hands-on training workshop on culture, maintenance and characterisation of embryonic stem cells, to develop human competency in this frontier area of research.