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Pharmacogenomics Center established at
KMC Life Science Center
July 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 bodies 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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