Hyderabad: Union minister of state (Independent) for science and technology Dr Jitendra Singh on Saturday unveiled new technologies developed by city-based National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB), under the department of biotechnology’s Biotechnology Research Innovation Council (BRIC) and inaugurated India’s first animal stem cell biobank, a facility to store and preserve high-quality stem cells from various animal species, at its facility at Gachibowli.
The biobank would provide quality-controlled animal stem cells and indigenous, cost-effective cell culture media to veterinary clinics, research institutions, hospitals, and industry. This first-of-its-kind resource would accelerate advances in veterinary medicine, regenerative therapies, and animal cell-based smart protein production, reducing dependence on imports and fostering the country’s biomanufacturing capacity.
“These field-ready and affordable innovations will improve animal health, increase livestock productivity, and protect farmers’ livelihoods,” Singh said, adding, “They will also strengthen our ability to combat zoonotic diseases, which cause nearly two-thirds of new and emerging infections globally, including Covid-19.”
Interacting with livestock farmers, he highlighted the central govt schemes aimed at boosting animal-based agriculture and rural incomes under the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047′ and the principle of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’.
NIAB director Dr G Taru Sharma said, “The innovations align with the govt’s BioE3 Policy, focusing on economy, employment, and environment, to create sustainable, knowledge-based livestock health solutions, from disease control to smart protein production.”
