In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, the Tamil Nadu government would introduce 'regenerative medicine' in veterinary care and would set up a research centre capitalising on stem cells.
Making a statement in the Assembly, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa said the government would set up a 'Stem Cell Research Centre' at Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University at a cost of Rs 6.46 crore.
"The government has decided to set up the Stem Cell Research Centre at TANUVAS considering the benefits the Stem Cell Research will bring to human health in the future", she said.
TANUVAS was already collaborating with Michigan State University, Virginia - Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and Wakeforest Institute of Regenerative Medicine in stem cell research, she said.
Regenerative medicine is the process of replacing stem cells to restore or establish normal function in human beings and animals. Stem cells are sourced from bone marrow, placenta and fat tissue in animals and human beings are used in regenerative medicine.
The government has allocated Rs 8.81 crore for installing 53 ultra sound scan units in veterinary hospitals across the state.
