Why in the News?

The National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB) is working to decode the genetic blueprints for conservation of indigenous cattle breeds using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) data and genotyping technology.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• About NIAB (Objectives, Mission, etc.)
• About BioE3 Policy (Objectives, Strategic Components)
• News Summary 

About National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB):

• The National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB) is a premier research institution, established under the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology.
• Located in Hyderabad, NIAB focuses on cutting-edge research in animal biotechnology, aiming to improve animal health, productivity, and welfare.
• The institute's research activities cover a wide range of areas, including genetics, genomics, vaccine development, diagnostics, and reproductive biotechnology.
• NIAB's mission is to address the challenges faced by the livestock sector in India, which is a vital component of the country's economy, especially for rural populations.
• By developing innovative biotechnological solutions, NIAB aims to enhance the quality and quantity of animal products like milk, meat, and eggs, while also ensuring better disease management and overall animal welfare.
• The institute is also involved in capacity building, offering training programs for students and professionals in the field of animal biotechnology.

About BioE3 Policy:

• The Government of India has recently launched the BioE3 Policy, which stands for "Bioenergy, Bioeconomy, and Bioproducts for Environment and Employment."
• This policy is a significant step towards promoting sustainable development and addressing environmental challenges while boosting economic growth through the bioeconomy sector.
• Key Objectives:
  • Promote Bioenergy: The policy aims to increase the production and utilization of bioenergy as a renewable energy source. This includes the promotion of biofuels, biogas, and biomass-based energy solutions.
  • Boost Bioeconomy: The BioE3 Policy focuses on expanding the bioeconomy by encouraging the development and commercialization of bioproducts. These include bioplastics, biochemicals, and other value-added products derived from biological resources.
  • Environmental Sustainability: A core objective of the BioE3 Policy is to promote environmental sustainability. By encouraging the use of renewable biological resources and reducing reliance on non-renewable materials, the policy aims to mitigate environmental degradation, reduce carbon emissions, and promote a circular economy.
  • Employment Generation: The policy also focuses on creating employment opportunities in the bioeconomy sector. By supporting innovation, research, and development in bio-based industries, the BioE3 Policy aims to generate jobs, particularly in rural areas, thereby contributing to inclusive economic growth.
• Strategic Components:
  • Research and Development (R&D): The policy emphasizes the need for increased R&D in bio-based technologies and processes.
  • Infrastructure Development: The BioE3 Policy also focuses on developing the necessary infrastructure for the bioeconomy, including bio-refineries, bioproduct manufacturing units, and bioenergy plants.
  • Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): To achieve its goals, the policy encourages collaboration between the government, private sector, academia, and research institutions.
  • Regulatory Support: The BioE3 Policy includes measures to streamline regulations and provide incentives for bio-based industries. This includes tax benefits, subsidies, and simplified approval processes to attract investment and encourage the growth of the bioeconomy.

NIAB Working to Decode Genetic Blueprints:

• The NIAB is working to decode the genetic blueprints for conservation of indigenous cattle breeds using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) data and genotyping technology.
  • NGS is a technology that determines the order of nucleotides in DNA or RNA by sequencing millions of small DNA fragments in parallel. 
  • NGS is also known as massively parallel sequencing.
• This will help to establish molecular signatures for registered cattle breeds.
• A good number of ‘bio-scaffolds’ (for repairing tissues), both natural as well 3D printed, are being produced for cell/drug delivery, bio-banking and using animal stem cells enriched scaffolds as various therapeutic interventions.
• Scientists are also working on generating biomarkers of susceptibility and resistance to TB in native and crossbred cattle.
• A biomarker (metabolite and protein) has been developed for early assessment of nutritional stress-induced negative energy balance leading to decreased productivity and infertility in cattle population.