INTRODUCTION

The Bangkok Biomaterial Center in Association with

1. Faculty of Graduate Studies, Mahidol University
2. IAEA/325-RAS/7/008 THA Master Degree programme
3. Office of Atomic Energy for Peace

Started the Advance training in Tissue Banking at the Bangkok Biomaterial Center, Bangkok. This course is under a Master Degree Programme called the MSc in Cell and Tissue Banking. The first batch in this programme was started on the 31^st March 1999. This is perhaps the first and only course of its kind in the world and is intended to increase the standard of the Tissue bank operators from technicians to scientists. One of the unique features of this Master Degree Programme is that the faculty consists of expert lecturers working in the advance field of Tissue Banking from all over the world. The center had requested the Agency vide its letter dated 12.04.1999 for the recruitment and assistance of International experts for delivering lectures on the advance topics in Tissue Banking. One of these experts requested by the center to the Agency was Dr. Douglas Michael Strong, Director of North West Tissue Center and Puget Sound Blood Center, Seattle, USA. The agency vide its letter no: RAS/7/008-08-01 dated 10.08.1999 informed the Center about the submission of Dr. Strong as the expert lecturer. Accordingly the visit was finalized from 27^th – 30^th September 1999.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

1) To establish the training and teaching on the advance topics in Tissue Banking to the students of the Master Degree Programme at the Bangkok Biomaterial Center and try to make the method and techniques taught, useful for clinical applications.

2) To setup a model Advance Tissue Bank teaching and training Center.

3) To fulfil the need for RCA/IAEA in the aspect of advance training programme in the region for tissue bank operators in the advance Tissue Banking.

4) Advance training center for BANGKOK BIOMATERIAL CENTER, Mahidol University to teach Tissue Banking as part of Curriculum in the Master Degree programme (IAEA/RAS/7/008).

5) Train the trainer for teaching the tissue bank staff

6) Research and development of Tissue Banking in the Asia - Pacific Region

7) Upgrade the standards of Tissue Bank staff in the Asia-Pacific Region

8) Promote the use of Radiation in the Sterilization of Tissue grafts

Lecture topics of Dr. Mike Strong during visit to the Bangkok Biomaterial Center

1. Cryopreservation of Tissues
2. Heart Valve Banking
3. Freeze Drying of Tissues
4. Tissue Irradiation
5. Infectious Disease Transmission and Quality Control

CONCLUSION

The wisdom with respect to Advance topics in Tissue Banking gained from the visit of Dr Barbara Wilke was immense and cannot be described in simple words. The visit helped the center, it’s scientists, technicians and the master degree students to learn the advance subjects of Tissue Banking in details and in depth. This confidence in itself is a great landmark to the setting up of the first course. The Center is thankful to IAEA and Dr. Mike Strong for all the help, co-operation and in the dissemination of knowledge.

From the 2^nd year i.e. year 2000 onwards the Center will look forward for the lecture of Dr. Mike Strong to the next batch of Advance Training Students for a bit more longer time and on some more advance topics. The center would request the AGECNY to increase the number of fellowship for this Advance Training course from the present 4 fellows to 8 fellows. The wealth of knowledge gained by the students will lay the basis for the foundation of a strong edifice on which future researches in Tissue Banking would be carried out.

PHOTOS ( Please Click on the links)

1. Dr.Mike Strong, Prof. Yongyudh Vajaradul and Mr. Reyaz with the Students standing in the Background

2. Dr. Mike Strong delivering lecture to the students.

3. Dr. Mike Strong delivering lecture to the students

4. Dr. Mike Strong pose with Mr. Reyaz and the students.

5. Mr. Reyaz explaining to Dr. Strong and the students about Total Hip Prosthesis at the Bangkok Biomaterial Center Museum.

6. Dr. Strong and the students look into the collection of Orthopaedic Antiques at the Bangkok Biomaterial's Center Museum as Mr. Reyaz does the job of the curator.

7. Prof. Yongyudh Vajaradul - Course Director presents the certificate to Dr. Khuat Duay Thai of IAEA fellow from Vietnam after completion of 6 months Advance Training in Tissue Banking at the Bangkok Biomaterial Center. Dr. Strong Smiles on.

8. Prof. Yongyudh Vajaradul - Course Director presents the certificate to Mr. Mohd Rodzi Ali,  IAEA fellow from Malaysia after completion of 6 months Advance Training in Tissue Banking at the Bangkok Biomaterial Center. Dr. Strong Smiles on.

9. IAEA fellow- Mr. Mamun Mia of Bangladesh receving a souviener from Prof. Yongyudh and Dr. Mike Strong.

10. Dr. Mike Strong, Prof. Yongyudh and Mr. Reyaz with the students of the Advance Training Course.

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