In news– Recently, the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology has launched the country’s first ‘One Health’ consortium.
About One Health’ consortium
- This programme envisages carrying out surveillance of important bacterial, viral and parasitic infections of zoonotic and transboundary pathogens in India.
- Use of existing diagnostic tests and the development of additional methodologies when required are mandated for the surveillance and for understanding the spread of emerging diseases.
- This Consortium, consisting of 27 organisations led by DBT-National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, is one of the biggest one health programs launched by Govt of India in post-COVID times.
- The One health consortium consists of AIIMS, Delhi, AIIMS Jodhpur, IVRI, Bareilly, GADVASU, Ludhiana, TANUVAS, Chennai, MAFSU, Nagpur, Assam agricultural and veterinary university and many more ICAR, ICMR centres and wildlife agencies.
- COVID-19 pandemic showed the relevance of ‘One Health’ principles in the governance of infectious diseases, especially efforts to prevent and contain zoonotic diseases throughout the world.
- Sensing this urgent need, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has supported a mega consortium on ‘One Health’.
National Institute of Animal Biotechnology(NIAB), Hyderabad-
- It is an Indian autonomous research establishment of the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology.
- NIAB is aimed to harness novel and emerging biotechnologies and take up research in the cutting edge areas for improving animal health and productivity.
- The Institute’s focus of research is 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 promotes bio entrepreneurship by providing a support environment for commercial tenants involved in the development of farm animal based products.
Source: PIB
