About the Department

The Department of Reproductive Science (formerly known as Department of Clinical Embryology), is at the forefront of reproductive health and research, committed to advancing knowledge, providing comprehensive education, and offering top-tier clinical services in reproductive science and medicine. Our mission is to improve reproductive health outcomes through conducting innovative research, providing exceptional education, and compassionate patient care. The department is headed by Dr Satish Adiga, which is organized into three divisions with focused research and academic goals.

·       Division of Clinical Embryology

·       Division of Reproductive Biology

·       Division of Reproductive Genetics 

 

The three divisions are staffed with highly qualified, experienced faculties, adjunct faculties, and researchers dedicated to advancing knowledge, fostering innovation, and making significant contributions to their respective fields.

Mission

Innovative Research: Conducting cutting-edge research to understand reproductive health and disease.

Comprehensive Education: Training the next generation of leaders in reproductive science and medicine.

Compassionate Care: Providing exceptional embryology services to couples seeking infertility treatment, providing state-of-the-art onco-fertility service.

 

Vision

Interdisciplinary collaboration: To foster a collaborative environment that encourages interdisciplinary partnerships within the university and with other leading institutions globally, promoting the exchange of knowledge and enhancing research outcomes

Community outreach programs: To actively engage with the community through educational outreach, public health initiatives, and advocacy, raising awareness about reproductive health issues and providing resources to support individuals and families.

 

Research Focus:

Our research aims to unravel the complexities of reproductive biology, from deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying infertility to exploring innovative treatments. We focus on understanding the pathophysiology of various reproductive disorders, such as PCOS and endometriosis, and diabetes mellitus using specific disease models to develop novel biomarkers and newer therapeutic strategies. Our research team is engaged in a wide range of topics, including reproductive toxicity assessment, and enhancement of reproductive outcomes in both natural and assisted conception, by investigating the potential of natural products, phytomedicines, micronutrients, and small molecules.

 

Academic Programs:

We are dedicated to educating and shaping the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals in the field of reproductive science through our M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs. Our robust curriculum and comprehensive training programs provide students and research scholars with exceptional opportunities to interact with academic stalwarts and industry leaders. This environment fosters hands-on experience and deep theoretical knowledge, equipping students to excel in their careers and make significant contributions to the field.

Major ongoing projects from Jan 2024 to date

SI No.

Project

Principal Investigator

Agency

Duration

1

Artificial Intelligence augmented oocyte retrieval for improved outcome of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (AI4ART)

Dr. Rahul Dutta

AI4ICPS-DST

2024-2026

2

Understanding the role of fibroblast-specific protein-1 (S100A4) in profibrotic and inflammatory pathways as a possible therapeutic target in managing endometriosis-associated fibrosis

Dr. Rahul Dutta

ICMR

2023-2026

3

Elucidating the cryo-susceptibility and mitochondrial dynamics of oocytes and embryos under maternal metabolic conditions

Dr. Sandhya Kumari MV

ICMR

2023-2026

4

Unravelling the influence of genetic variants on follicular microenvironment, ovarian response and pregnancy outcome in young women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment

Dr. Shubhashree Uppangala

SERB

2023-2026

6

Merck Foundation Capacity Building

Dr. Satish Kumar Adiga

Merck Foundation Germany

2018-Ongoing

7

Advanced Skill Set Embryology Training (Asset), Education Grant

Dr. Satish Kumar Adiga

Merck Specialities Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai

2015-Ongoing

8

Exploring the therapeutic potential of metformin and acarbose co-administration strategy on improving the functional competence of oocyte, embryo development, and fetal development in experimentally induced PCOS and type II diabetes

Dr Satish Kumar Adiga

ICMR

2024 - ongoinh

Collaborations

Academia

International

National

University of Munster, Germany

Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru

University of Naples, Italy

National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru

UKC Maribor, Slovenia

Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology (IBAB), Bengaluru

Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden

St. John’s Research Institute, Bengaluru

Mayo Clinic, United States of America

Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad

University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany

Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad

University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Hyderabad

New York University, United Arab Emirates

Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Mumbai

King Khalid University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

ICMR- National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (NIRRCH), Mumbai

 

CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow

 

National Institute of Technology (NIT), Calicut

 

Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangaluru

 

Shri Dhramasthala Manjunatheshwara (SDM) College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad

 

Industry

Kamineni Life Sciences Private Limited, Hyderabad

Origin Diagnostics and Research, Kollam

SAR Healthline, Chennai

Anderson Diagnostics and Labs, Chennai

 

 

 

Services offered

Manipal Assisted Reproduction Centre (MARC) is the clinical wing of the department which treats approximately ten thousand infertile patients every year. The department of clinical embryology provides clinical service 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, Fifth Edition, 2010) 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 Manipal Assisted Reproduction Centre (MARC) is key to our mission to help 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. Many on our team have decades of experience. 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 has advanced technologies and cryogenic facilities to freeze 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

Contact us

Address

Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/nc7awwnqUCaXmXKh8
Email: reproduction@manipal.edu 

Phone Number: +91 (0)820-292-3242