The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has achieved a monumental breakthrough in the realm of healthcare research, as it proudly unveils its inaugural state-of-the-art stem cell regenerative laboratory. This pioneering facility, an unprecedented feat within sub-Saharan Africa, is poised to drive revolutionary research endeavours and innovative medical treatments harnessing the power of stem cells.

Boasting cutting-edge equipment, including a Next Generation sequencer, cell sorter, cell imager, biosafety chamber, and more, the laboratory stands fully equipped for the intricate processes of stem cell extraction and treatment. Stem cells, renowned for their youthful and undifferentiated nature, hold immense promise in offering critical solutions for a myriad of diseases, owing to their remarkable capability to mature into diverse cell types, including those found in the blood.

The realization of this groundbreaking laboratory was made possible through a generous contribution of Sh77.2 Million (approximately USD 542,600) from the National Research Fund (NRF). Professor Dickson Andala, the CEO of NRF, believes that the regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy provided by this avant-garde facility will play a pivotal role in countering the surge of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, road accident injuries, burns, oral diseases, as well as ocular and dental ailments.

The laboratory's strategic focus on combatting NCDs resonates with the urgent demand to address the escalating prevalence and fatality rates of these ailments, which pose significant challenges to Kenya's sustainable development objectives. By offering accessible stem cell research and treatments domestically, patients will no longer need to seek medical intervention in foreign nations such as India, South Africa, Germany, or the USA.

Moreover, the laboratory is anticipated to lead the charge in drug and vaccine development, bolstering existing research capabilities, and fortifying endeavors to combat infectious diseases. The unit also envisions the training of postgraduate scholars and research scientists in the intricacies of stem cell regenerative medicine, while concurrently establishing a comprehensive repository of stem cells indigenous to Kenya.

Professor Ratemo Michieka, chairman of NRF, underscores that this groundbreaking research could pave the way for employment opportunities and meaningful engagement for the youth demographic. As one of the esteemed institutions designated by the government to drive Kenya's burgeoning biotechnology sector, Kemri continues to assume a pivotal role in the local production of medical commodities.

The incorporation of stem cell technology into their research arsenal represents a momentous achievement for Kemri, according to Professor Elijah Songok, the CEO of Kemri. The institution now aspires to foster the development of innovative therapies for the regeneration and restoration of tissues afflicted by diseases or accidents, heralding a paradigm shift in disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

While the laboratory's primary focus remains on research, KEMRI's administration expresses a keenness to expedite stem cell research and therapies through supplementary funding, thereby addressing the pressing medical requisites of Kenyan citizens seeking advanced treatments.

The establishment of Kenya's inaugural stem cell regenerative laboratory injects a fresh surge of optimism into the realm of scientific progress, heralding transformative healthcare solutions with the potential to exert a lasting influence on the well-being of millions.

 

Article by Jed Mwangi

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https://www.kemri.go.ke/2023/07/28/kemri-commissions-a-centre-of-excellence-in-stem-cell-research/