Union Minister of State (IC) Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh 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), Hyderabad.

The Minister also laid the foundation stone of a new hostel block and Type-IV quarters at NIAB, approved by the Department of Biotechnology at a total cost of ₹19.98 crore. The infrastructure will cater to the needs of research scholars, faculty, and staff, fostering a vibrant academic and innovation ecosystem.

The facility of Animal BioBank, spread over 9,300 sq ft and constructed at a cost of Rs.1.85 crore, will focus on regenerative medicine and cellular therapies for livestock. Equipped with a stem cell culture unit, 3D bioprinter, bacterial culture lab, cryostorage, autoclave rooms, advanced air handling systems, and uninterrupted power backup, the laboratory will advance research in disease modelling, tissue engineering, and reproductive biotechnology.

With support from the National Biopharma Mission (NBM) of DBT–BIRAC, the facility will be expanded to enable biobanking of animal stem cells and their derivatives.

In addition, Dr. Singh launched five innovative veterinary diagnostic tools designed to revolutionise animal health management and support the ‘One Health’ approach.

He added that the recently announced Rs. 1 lakh crore RDI fund under AnusandhanNational Research Foundation Fund (ANRF) will give a special boost to private sector R&D, enabling India to move from the world’s fourth-largest economy towards the top rank. 

Dr. Singh highlighted that the Department of Biotechnology uniquely integrates the plant, animal, and human worlds under one umbrella. He cited India’s contributions to space-based experiments, including collaborations with the Department of Space, and envisioned emerging fields such as space medicine and space physiology.