<p>Stem cell research is an advanced level of biological research carried out by people from diverse science backgrounds to find new therapies for various ailments. Dr Ramesh Bhonde gives you details<br /><br /></p>.<p>Cells, tissues, and soon organs, will be kept for a long period of time under -180 degree centigrade, and centuries later, the same cells, tissues, or organs will be taken out, thawed and brought back to life. This is not science fiction. It is science. Have you ever dreamt of working for the technology of the future? Well, that dream is now possible because stem cell research is emerging as one of the latest career options for youngsters, willing to take on a variety of challenges.<br /><br />So, what exactly does stem cell research involve? It is an advanced level of biological research carried out by people from diverse science backgrounds to find new therapies for various ailments. The next level leading from stem cell research is stem cell therapy.<br /><br />Stem cell treatment or therapy refers to introducing new adult stem cells into damaged tissue to treat a particular disease. For instance, stem cells from the bone marrow and umbilical cord have been used to treat leukemia. Stem cell therapy also holds the potential to treat a variety of other serious ailments, such as, Type 1 diabetes mellitus, Parkinson’s disease and a variety of cancerous conditions. The field of stem cell research and therapy offers exciting career options for people looking for something different.<br /><br />Are only medical professionals eligible for a career in stem cell research and therapy? The answer is no. There is a general misconception that only people with medical education background can be employed in stem cell therapy. In fact, students of basic biology too can find jobs in stem cell research and therapy. B.Sc graduates with at least one subject of Biological Sciences, MBBS or B.Pharma or BDS or BVSc or BE Biotechnology students can find jobs in stem cell research.<br /><br />This emerging branch of biomedicine needs quality and trained manpower. With the global market of biomedicine expected to reach US $20 billion by 2013, excellent career opportunities will be available to post graduate students from diverse science fields. <br /><br />India is a major biotech player in the Asia Pacific region, coming next to Japan, South Korea. Malaysia is also catching up. Karnataka, and Bangalore in particular, is a major hub in work related to stem cells.<br /><br />At the international level, careers in stem cell therapy have taken off in a big way. <br /><br />Students in Europe, Australia and USA, have the option of pursuing their research career in developmental biology, tissue engineering, embryology, medical biotechnology, molecular biology, cell biology, nanotechnology, clinical research and stem cell biology. It provides multiple options to the students to even pursue higher studies in basic biology and applicative translational field.<br /><br />Stem cell research in India<br /><br />Stem cell research is among the most rapidly growing fields of science in India as several institutes are researching newer therapies. In India, stem cell biology is emerging in both basic science and clinical applications. Even the Government of India, through its agencies like DBT, DST, ICMR, has started investing funds to support basic and translational research in this field of science.<br /><br />Additionally, with a large number of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and prominent stem cell institutions carrying out pioneering research in stem cell therapy, the opportunities for students are immense. It is estimated that the investment in stem cell research in India is more than Rs 1000 crores. Most of the investment in stem cell research in India is in the government sector.<br /><br />There are several opportunities for science graduates to pursue a career in stem cell research and therapy in India. From a chief scientific officer to a lab assistant, the opportunities are several. <br /><br />However, a basic science degree is not sufficient to find a job in some firms. An exclusive training to understand the working style and requirements of the industry is an added advantage. There are several institutes that offer such training.<br /><br />Some of the institutions that offer stem cell courses are:<br /><br />*Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore<br />*National Centre for Biological Science (NCBS), Bangalore<br />*National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune<br />*National institute for Research in Reproductive Health,Mumbai<br />*Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine (MIRM), Bangalore<br />*Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) Hyderabad<br />*L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad etc<br />Nichi-In Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Chennai<br />*Indian Institute of Technology, Madras<br />Sri ChitraTirunal Institute for Medical Sciences in Technology,Trivandrum<br />*National Institute of Nutrition<br />*National Institute of Immunology<br />*MS University Baroda<br />*SGPI, Chadigarh<br /><br />Candidates, who want to move ahead in their career, have the option of pursuing the following courses: M.Sc in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Zoology, Biophysics, Microbiology and Life Sciences; M.Sc in,Regenerative Medicine is only at MIRM, Bangalore. <br /><br />One can choose to start one’s career in quality, R&D, production, clinical research, supply chain, and human resources besides finance and other administrative functions.<br /><br />As a beginner, an eligible postgraduate can earn up to Rs 30,000 per month and after obtaining a Ph.D one can earn more than Rs 50,000 per month. When Ph.D holders are recruited abroad as postdoctoral fellows, they can earn, around US$ 35000 to 40000 or Euro 25000 to 30000, annually.<br /><em><br />(The writer is Professor & Dean, Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine.) </em><br /></p>
<p>Stem cell research is an advanced level of biological research carried out by people from diverse science backgrounds to find new therapies for various ailments. Dr Ramesh Bhonde gives you details<br /><br /></p>.<p>Cells, tissues, and soon organs, will be kept for a long period of time under -180 degree centigrade, and centuries later, the same cells, tissues, or organs will be taken out, thawed and brought back to life. This is not science fiction. It is science. Have you ever dreamt of working for the technology of the future? Well, that dream is now possible because stem cell research is emerging as one of the latest career options for youngsters, willing to take on a variety of challenges.<br /><br />So, what exactly does stem cell research involve? It is an advanced level of biological research carried out by people from diverse science backgrounds to find new therapies for various ailments. The next level leading from stem cell research is stem cell therapy.<br /><br />Stem cell treatment or therapy refers to introducing new adult stem cells into damaged tissue to treat a particular disease. For instance, stem cells from the bone marrow and umbilical cord have been used to treat leukemia. Stem cell therapy also holds the potential to treat a variety of other serious ailments, such as, Type 1 diabetes mellitus, Parkinson’s disease and a variety of cancerous conditions. The field of stem cell research and therapy offers exciting career options for people looking for something different.<br /><br />Are only medical professionals eligible for a career in stem cell research and therapy? The answer is no. There is a general misconception that only people with medical education background can be employed in stem cell therapy. In fact, students of basic biology too can find jobs in stem cell research and therapy. B.Sc graduates with at least one subject of Biological Sciences, MBBS or B.Pharma or BDS or BVSc or BE Biotechnology students can find jobs in stem cell research.<br /><br />This emerging branch of biomedicine needs quality and trained manpower. With the global market of biomedicine expected to reach US $20 billion by 2013, excellent career opportunities will be available to post graduate students from diverse science fields. <br /><br />India is a major biotech player in the Asia Pacific region, coming next to Japan, South Korea. Malaysia is also catching up. Karnataka, and Bangalore in particular, is a major hub in work related to stem cells.<br /><br />At the international level, careers in stem cell therapy have taken off in a big way. <br /><br />Students in Europe, Australia and USA, have the option of pursuing their research career in developmental biology, tissue engineering, embryology, medical biotechnology, molecular biology, cell biology, nanotechnology, clinical research and stem cell biology. It provides multiple options to the students to even pursue higher studies in basic biology and applicative translational field.<br /><br />Stem cell research in India<br /><br />Stem cell research is among the most rapidly growing fields of science in India as several institutes are researching newer therapies. In India, stem cell biology is emerging in both basic science and clinical applications. Even the Government of India, through its agencies like DBT, DST, ICMR, has started investing funds to support basic and translational research in this field of science.<br /><br />Additionally, with a large number of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and prominent stem cell institutions carrying out pioneering research in stem cell therapy, the opportunities for students are immense. It is estimated that the investment in stem cell research in India is more than Rs 1000 crores. Most of the investment in stem cell research in India is in the government sector.<br /><br />There are several opportunities for science graduates to pursue a career in stem cell research and therapy in India. From a chief scientific officer to a lab assistant, the opportunities are several. <br /><br />However, a basic science degree is not sufficient to find a job in some firms. An exclusive training to understand the working style and requirements of the industry is an added advantage. There are several institutes that offer such training.<br /><br />Some of the institutions that offer stem cell courses are:<br /><br />*Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore<br />*National Centre for Biological Science (NCBS), Bangalore<br />*National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune<br />*National institute for Research in Reproductive Health,Mumbai<br />*Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine (MIRM), Bangalore<br />*Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) Hyderabad<br />*L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad etc<br />Nichi-In Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Chennai<br />*Indian Institute of Technology, Madras<br />Sri ChitraTirunal Institute for Medical Sciences in Technology,Trivandrum<br />*National Institute of Nutrition<br />*National Institute of Immunology<br />*MS University Baroda<br />*SGPI, Chadigarh<br /><br />Candidates, who want to move ahead in their career, have the option of pursuing the following courses: M.Sc in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Zoology, Biophysics, Microbiology and Life Sciences; M.Sc in,Regenerative Medicine is only at MIRM, Bangalore. <br /><br />One can choose to start one’s career in quality, R&D, production, clinical research, supply chain, and human resources besides finance and other administrative functions.<br /><br />As a beginner, an eligible postgraduate can earn up to Rs 30,000 per month and after obtaining a Ph.D one can earn more than Rs 50,000 per month. When Ph.D holders are recruited abroad as postdoctoral fellows, they can earn, around US$ 35000 to 40000 or Euro 25000 to 30000, annually.<br /><em><br />(The writer is Professor & Dean, Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine.) </em><br /></p>
