Kasturba Medical College, Manipal was the first to establish Clinical Embryology sub speciality in Asia in 2005, aiming to provide thorough academic training, research experience, ethics and skills related to human preimplantation embryology and infertility. To strengthen the research culture in assisted reproductive technology (ART), the doctoral and post-doctoral level training was introduced in 2007.

Approximately one in eight couples experience some form of infertility, making it one of the most common medical problems in their reproductive age. Though advancements have been made both in clinical and laboratory aspects of ART, there still are grey areas that need further research to improve the quality of outcome. Further, the ART industry needs competent clinical embryologists to provide quality treatment in an ethical manner. Hence our primary focus is capacity building to produce skilled human resources to take up employment in both clinical ART and research stream, thereby enhancing the visibility of this specialised area of science. Centre of Excellence in Clinical Embryology is one of the top centres in Asia and one of its kind for advanced training and research in the field of embryology and infertility. In addition, it's clinical wing ‘Manipal Assisted Reproduction Centre’ treats approximately ten thousand infertile patients every year and offers all modern ART techniques including preimplantation genetic testing and fertility preservation.

ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES 

Teaching and training

M.Sc. Clinical Embryology

MAHE was the first in the country and only second in Asia to start an M.Sc. in Clinical Embryology in 2005. 

The course is provided under Division of Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, KMC, Manipal.

Focus: The main goal of the course is to offer graduates in life science the opportunity to gain experience to undertake employment in laboratory management in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). 

Course Description: The intensive curriculum includes theoretical, practical, and clinical training in both fundamental and advanced aspects of ART spread over a period of four semesters (80 credits, 2 years). As a part of the clinical training, the students experience direct interactions with patients in male reproductive and IVF laboratories, and in patient counselling. The practical training uses state-of-the-art facilities to transform students from trainees to skilled embryologists to work independently in ART centers. Industry-academia partnership allows students to take up semester-long internships in reputed ART centers across the country.

Career prospects: The course has excellent placement records through campus selection. 

Admission: Admission to this course is through the Common Entrance Test conducted by MAHE, followed by an interview. Call for admissions is advertised on the website.

Eligibility: B.Sc. with Reproduction / Zoology / Microbiology / Biochemistry / Biotechnology / Bioscience / Physiology as one of the subjects from a recognized University, with a minimum 60% aggregate marks or equivalent.

Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)

The Centre is also proactive in providing practical embryology training to clinicians and embryologists of India and abroad. The centre has been recognized Centre of Excellence (CoE) Merck Foundation Germany and National Embryology Training Centre by Indian Society for Assisted Reproduction (ISAR) and several other accredited bodies.

Research

Doctoral (PhD) program: The field of ART has many grey areas which needs to be addressed through research. To strengthen the research culture in ART, the Centre offers doctoral-level training. The PhD program is a feasible solution for producing competent human resources to address clinical problems through fundamental and translational research.  The Centre provides a platform for enthusiastic candidates who are interested in taking up cutting edge research in both fundamental and applied aspects of reproduction and fertility. Students who have secured national fellowships from ICMR, CSIR, INSPIRE or other agencies are encouraged to apply. For more information on the available PhD positions and ongoing research one can contact clinical.embryology@manipal.edu.      

https://www.manipal.edu/mu/academics/phd/admissions---phd-program/full-time-phd-with-dr-tma-pai-scholarship.html of MAHE supports meritorious students for pursuing their PhD career.

Integrated MSc PhD program: The integrated MSc-PhD program is expected to produce potential human resources capable of strengthening the research in the field of fertility. Students qualified through this program will be capable of enhancing the research culture and output in the field of infertility. The primary objective of this program is to identify talented and dedicated graduates with honours degree with a keen sense of scientific enquiry and motivate them to pursue high priority research in frontier areas of fertility and embryology. Meritorious students from life science stream (first rank holders, INSPIRE award winners, KVPY qualified students, National science Olympiad winners) interested in taking up fertility related cutting edge research for their doctoral programme may contact clinical.embryology@manipal.edu for more details and opportunities.

Postdoctoral training: This program offers opportunity for doctoral degree holders, those in the early stage of their career who plan to develop and implement an independent research project in the field of fertility and reproduction. The centre can host researchers with different disciplinary backgrounds to work on a single project related to reproduction, contributing their own methodological expertise, while having the opportunity to sharpen their individual research profiles. The centre considers supporting the applications of fellows who are planning to apply government funded postdoctoral programs such as Ramalingaswamy fellowship or similar programs. MAHE also offers postdoctoral fellowship program https://www.manipal.edu/programs

Clinical service

Manipal Assisted Reproduction Centre (MARC) treats approximately ten thousand infertile patients every year. Centre of Excellence in Clinical Embryology provides clinical service at MARC in the following areas:

Andrology laboratory: The Andrology specialized laboratory offers a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques to meet patient needs. The laboratory uses the latest World Health Organization (WHO, Sixth Edition, 2021) guidelines and reference ranges in the evaluation of semen samples. Other facilities such as computer assisted semen analysis (CASA), sperm DNA fragmentation test, advanced sperm preparation methods for therapeutic insemination, semen and testicular tissue cryopreservation are also available to cater infertility patients.

In vitro Fertilization (IVF) laboratory: The IVF Lab at MARC is key to the centre’s mission in helping patients through the journey of becoming parents. For those struggling to conceive, the advanced technologies and workstations help to evaluate their sperm and eggs, use appropriate methods to fertilize and develop the embryos before they are implanted into the uterus.  The IVF lab has one of the most experienced teams in the field of IVF. Embryologists in the team have special training in several niche areas of IVF which is beyond the national requirements.

Fertility Preservation (Oncofertility): Cancer treating drugs and radiation often damage eggs and sperm producing cells in the body which are necessary for successful pregnancy. In men, the side effects of cancer treatment can cause damage to the testes and interfere with sperm production. Similarly, damage to eggs can compromise a woman’s childbearing ability in the future. There is thus an urgent need to protect the fertility of such patients before cancer treatment can commence. The Centre for Fertility Preservation (CFP) has advanced technologies and cryogenic facilities to store gametes and embryos for those who have procedures that may make them unable to have children, including cancer patients. First of its kind in the country, the centre along with its partners Oncofertility Consortium in USA and University of Muenster in Germany, offers fertility preservation services to cancer affected children and young adults.

FACULTY 

1.      Prof. Dr. Satish Kumar Adiga

2.      Ms. Keerthana Sandesh Suvarna

3.      Ms. Shruthivishali M

4.      Dr. Dhakshanya P

5.      Ms. Amandeep Kaur

6.      Ms. Shreya

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