When Tissue Engineering proved to be an emerging field that offers an entirely new challenge in medical research, a Malaysian researcher attached to the Tissue Engineering Center, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worchester, USA was eager to bring this technology back to his home country. Dr Aminuddin Saim, upon returning to Malaysia, founded the Tissue Engineering Laboratory of Hospital University Kebangsaan (HUKM) in the year 2000. In the span of 5 years, the TE research team has expanded rapidly to accommodate 13 full time researchers and over 20 collaborators.
Following the establishment of Tissue Engineering Society International (TESI), researchers in the forefront of TE research in Malaysia had a vision of forming our own National TE society that would spearhead TE research in the country. After 3 years, under the leadership of Assoc. Prof. Dr Ruszymah, now Head of the TE Laboratory of HUKM, and Dr. Aminuddin, took the first step in realizing this dream. A group of interested parties was gathered and the team was set on drafting the constitution and agenda for a TE Society of Malaysia (TESMA). In an effort to garner more members, a soft launching of TESMA was conducted in May 2004, in conjunction with the First International Biomaterial and Tissue Engineering Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The membership drive was well received.
Six months later, on Nov 10, 2004, TESMA was officially registered with the Malaysian Registrar of Societies and held its inaugural general meeting in June 2005, boasting a total membership of 80, comprising of researchers, academicians and corporate members.
As the scope of Tissue Engineering widens to encompass regenerative medicine, TESI adopted a new identity, Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (TERMIS). TESMA had been invited to be part of the Asia Pacific Chapter of this international society. Still in its infancy, TESMA welcomes greater participation from all parties concerned to help render its mission.
