India’s First-of-its-Kind State-of-the-Art Animal Stem Cell BioBank and Laboratory

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh has inaugurated India’s first-of-its-kind State-of-the-Art Animal Stem Cell Biobank and Animal Stem Cell Laboratory at the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB) in Hyderabad. This cutting-edge facility is a significant step towards advancing regenerative medicine and cellular therapies for livestock.

Key Features of the Facility

• Infrastructure: Spanning 9,300 square feet and built at a cost of ₹1.85 crore, the laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including:
  • A stem cell culture unit
  • A 3D bioprinter for tissue engineering
  • A bacterial culture lab
  • Cryostorage for long-term preservation
  • Advanced air handling systems
• Research Focus: The facility’s primary focus is on translational research that benefits animal health and productivity. It will enable breakthroughs in:
  • Regenerative Medicine: Using stem cells to repair damaged tissues and organs in livestock.
  • Disease Modeling: Developing animal models for better understanding and treating diseases.
  • Reproductive Biotechnology: Enhancing reproductive health and genetic diversity in farm animals.

Strategic Importance

The biobank, supported by the National Biopharma Mission (NBM) of the Department of Biotechnology–Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (DBT–BIRAC), aims to be a centralized repository for high-quality animal stem cells and their derivatives.