IU Launches Regenerative Medicine PhD Program

Dr. Chandan Sen (photo courtesy of Indiana University School of Medicine)

The Indiana University School of Medicine is launching a new PhD program in regenerative medicine and technologies. The university says the program will train the next generation of leaders who will contribute to the rapidly growing discipline which will shape the future of healthcare.

The program is expected to make a major economic impact by training new leaders in the field.

“This program is interdisciplinary in nature and is primarily focused on skilled workforce development to shape the future of regenerative medicine,” said Dr. Chandan Sen, director of the Indiana Center for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering. “It provides opportunities for industry internships and will meet the growing market demand in the regenerative medicine field.”

IU says regenerative medicine is a new branch of medicine that develops methods to regrow, repair or replace damaged or diseased cells, organs or tissues. The field includes the generation and use of cell and tissue reprogramming, therapeutic stem cells, tissue engineering and the production of bioartificial organs.

“Our goal is to have a limited size class made up of students from a variety of backgrounds,” Sen said. “There could be people coming from a biomedical engineering background, material science, biotechnology or many other areas of expertise.”

A drug is eligible for regenerative medicine advanced therapy designation by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration. IU says the program will be one of only six regenerative medicine PhD programs in the country and the second with an industry emphasis.

“IU School of Medicine is proud to be a leader in the growing field of regenerative medicine and engineering,” said Dr. Jay Hess, dean of IU School of Medicine. “This new program will help us address the major shortage of working professionals in this specialty. Students will become skilled in regenerative medicine-based innovations, regulatory science and supply chain management, making major contributions to the state’s economy and becoming leaders in the field on a statewide, national and global level.”

The program is part of the Indiana Center for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering, which is housed in the IU School of Medicine Department of Surgery.