India's First Animal Stem Cell Biobank Inaugurated in Hyderabad
The National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB) in Hyderabad has launched India's first Animal Stem Cell Biobank. This state-of-the-art facility will store and preserve high-quality stem cells from various animal species to boost research in veterinary medicine, regenerative therapies, and drug testing. Along with the biobank, NIAB unveiled five new low-cost diagnostic kits for animal diseases like brucellosis and mastitis, aiming to improve livestock health and support the country’s growing bioeconomy.
Unpacked:
The Animal Stem Cell Biobank enables long-term preservation of high-quality stem cells from various animal species, supporting advanced research in veterinary medicine, regenerative therapies, and drug testing. This positions India at the forefront of animal biotechnology, potentially improving livestock productivity and disease resistance, and strengthening the country’s bioeconomy by facilitating new treatments and products.
The kits are designed to detect diseases like brucellosis and mastitis affordably and quickly, enabling early intervention. This can reduce animal mortality, improve milk and meat quality, and decrease financial losses for farmers, contributing to better animal health and increased productivity across Indian livestock sectors.
NIAB conducts research in animal genetics and genomics, transgenic and reproductive biotechnology, infectious diseases, bioinformatics, and nutritional enrichment. It also develops vaccines, diagnostics, and improved therapeutic molecules aimed at enhancing animal health and productivity for the Indian livestock industry.
By fostering innovation in animal health, supporting development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and bio-entrepreneurship, the biobank and new kits help generate value-added products and create commercial opportunities. This strengthens India’s livestock sector, encourages research-driven enterprises, and contributes to sustainable economic growth in biotechnology.