MAHE, Manipal Vice Chancellor Inaugurates Workshop On “3D Bioprinting For Biomedical Applications” At Its Research Centre

Lt Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal inaugurated the three-day hands-on workshop on “3D bioprinting for Biomedical Applications” here at Manipal Centre for Biotherapeutics Research (MCBR), MAHE, Manipal. This workshop is first of its kind at Manipal and the participants would be trained for generating the G code, designing the 3D structures and made aware of printing software for 3D bioprinting.

Presiding over the function, Lt. Gen. (Dr) M D Venkatesh said “3D bioprinting is an important area of translational research that would benefit many medical disciplines including orthopaedics, dentistry, dermatology, etc. We are in the exciting times that the benefits of 3D bioprinting would soon result in better patient care.  I hope we would soon be able to print oesophagus, trachea, liver, and other parts of the body. I complement industry partner “Alfatek Systems” for collaborating with MAHE to offer a truly hands-on workshop. I wish the workshop all success and the participants a great hands-on learning experience.

Chief Guest of the function Dr Sharath K Rao, Pro Vice Chancellor, Health Sciences, MAHE, also a renowned orthopaedic surgeon, shared his experiences using 3D printed bone implanted for orthopaedic applications. He wished that 3D bioprinting will find wide application in medical field and also in food industry. 3D printing of meat is a rapidly growing industry now, he added. 

Mr Sumant Bhutoria, Proprietor, Alfatek Systems, Kolkata and convenor of the workshop shared the importance of 3D bioprinting and its applications in healthcare. Dr Anil Kumar, Scientist G, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Science & Technology, Trivandrum is participating as one of the resource persons and other resource persons from Switzerland and Finland would deliver online talks.

Dr Raviraja N S, Professor & Coordinator MCBR and the Organizing Chairman of the workshop welcomed the gathering and explained the thrust areas of research at MCBR. Dr S V Kirthanashri, Associate Professor at MCBR & the workshop convenor gave a brief preamble of the workshop. About 10 participants from leading biopharma companies and research institutions are participating in the workshop. Dr Raghavendra Upadhaya, Assistant Professor MCBR & workshop Co-convenor proposed the vote of thanks. Ms. Jahnavy Joshi, DST Inspire fellow & Research Scholar, anchored the inauguration program.