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Pharmacogenomics Center established at KMC Life Science Center
Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal announced that a Pharmacogenomics core facility is being established at KMC Life Science Center. This has been done under the research and development scheme from the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), Government of India. Code named mission REACH (Relevance and Excellence in Achieving new heights in educational institutions), the program plans to achieve technology Vision-2020 in the upgradation of Science and Engineering Colleges to create a Center of Relevance and Excellence.
Bangalore (PRWEB) July 26, 2004 -- Prof. H.S. Ballal, Vice Chancellor, MAHE said, "Manipal is proud to set up the Pharmacogenomics center. This will add value to our existing technological and clinical expertise. MAHE is encouraging industries to actively participate and reap benefits from this program".
Dr K. Satyamoorthy, Department of Biotechnology and Center for Molecular and Cellular Biology and the coordinator of the DST-TIFAC CORE at Manipal added, "Revolutionary advances in how patients could be diagnosed and treated for various illnesses in the hospitals have opened innumerable opportunities for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The clinical expertise and resources available to researchers at Manipal offers immense potential towards making the Pharmacogenomics Core a Center of Excellence."
DST-TFAC-MAHE Pharmacogenomics Core is being undertaken along with clinical and research units at Manipal. This is expected to facilitate undertaking of projects for industries and entrepreneurs. DST-TIFAC CORE at Manipal is one of seventeen centers established under mission REACH program. Several industries have already come forward to participate in this program. In addition, several programs related to education, training and outreach activities are also envisioned.
The agreement has been signed by Prof. Gurumadhva Rao, Registrar, MAHE in the presence of the Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India, Dr. R. Chidambaram at New Delhi on 6th July, 2004. Dr. S. Ramamurthy, Secretary, DST, Dr. D. Bhatnagar, Adviser, TIFAC --CORE and other members of cuscc committee, Dr. R. Natarajan, AICTE Chairman, Dr. M.S. Vijayaraghavan, Dr. N. Saxena, Chief Coordinator of TIFAC Core Centers and Dr. N. Udupa, Principal, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal were also present.
Pharmacogenomics is the study of how an individuals genetic content affects the bodys response to drugs. Pharmacogenomics holds the promise that one day tailor-made drugs would be available for each individual, drugs that would be adapted to each persons genetic make up. It deals with drug induced toxicity, discovering new drugs or new applications, identifying mechanism of action, facilitating better clinical trials and identifying underlying defect in diseases that run in families.
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