Another jewel in the city’s crown

After a long wait works have begun for the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, a prestigious institute aimed exclusively to provide second lease of life to endangered species, on 100 acres of land at Gopanpally

• Centre S&T dept sanctioned ` 100 cr
• Aims to protect ethnic animal species
• Foundation stone laid, building to come up in two years
• Special nursery for medicinal plants

In a world of cutthroat competition and mad rush for one-upmanship, where business development and sophisticated technologies do matter, often forgotten are animals, the mute beings that provide us everything we need - food, clothing and natural energy.

For those who have been earnestly worrying about their well-being and productivity, there are all reasons to cheer.

After years-long wait, the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB), proposed by the previous government way back in 2009, is going to be a reality soon. Now with the State government allotting 100 acres of land at Gopanpally, near Serilingampally, for the prestigious institution, it is expected to be fully functional in the next two years.

Aimed to harness novel and emerging biotechnologies and take up research in the cutting edge areas for improving animal health and productivity, NIAB is going to make inroads in the rather neglected area of animal health.

The institute was constituted on the recommendation of the Scientific Advisory Committee headed by the Prime Minister (SAC – PM). Operating under the bio-technology wing of the Central Science and Technology (CST) department, the go-ahead for the institute was given on August 25, 2009.

The State government has recently allocated 100 acres for the institute at survey number 37 in Gopanpally. The bhoomi puja was done a week ago and construction works have begun with a budget of Rs 100 crore sanctioned by the CST department.

Apart from the general infrastructure, a state-of-the-art bio safety lab, livestock farms for experimental animal lab, animal houses, incubators, etc, will come up at the facility. The institute's focus of research will be on animal genetics and genomics, transgenic technology, reproductive biotechnology, infectious diseases, bioinformatics and nutrition enrichment. It aims at translational research leading to the development of novel vaccines, diagnostics and improved therapeutic molecules for farm animals. It also plans to promote bio entrepreneurship by providing support environment for commercial tenants involved in the development of farm animal based products.

Team of 65 scientists

Helmed by eminent scientist Dr Pallu Reddanna, the institute would be employing as many as 65 scientists and recruitments will be conducted for the same. Currently 10 scientists in various related disciplines are on the rolls and two are on training. There are 20 research scholars and when completely operational the facility is planning to employ up to 400 research scholars.

To be operational in two years

Speaking to Hyderabad Hans, Dr Pallu Reddanna said, “We have plans to make this new facility operational in two years. This is a completely independent government institute. Currently we are running with the help of UoH. The institute undertakes research on ethnic breeds of animals to make sure that they would not be extinct. Research on new medicines would also be done at the institute. We would take all the help from institutes like CDFD, CCMB etc.”

Medicinal plants nursery

The institute aims to be self-sufficient and is developing a medicinal plants nursery in the allotted land. These medicinal plants will be used for developing medicines to treat animals. A total of 25,000 medicinal plants and 2.52 lakh other plants are being grown and these will be used for landscaping.