Union government has sanctioned Rs 8 crore to the Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals (IAH&VB) to strengthen its laboratory in Bangalore. The lab serves as a Regional Referral Laboratory (RRL) to provide diagnostic services for livestock diseases.

The funding will allow the lab to switch over from the conventional methods of vaccine research to modern systems to speed up research efforts. The lab also maintains a data on the epidemiology of the livestock diseases like bacterial, viral and parasitic. Besides it is engaged in ascertain the drug or pesticide residues and mycotoxins levels in the livestock.

"The need for extra funds came about to further enhance the good laboratory practices. Animal health is critical for an agricultural country like India and hence constant efforts need to be made to make the diagnostics more efficient and accurate, Dr C Renukaprasad, director, Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals told Pharmabiz.

The IAHVR is also engaged in vaccine biotechnology research and development. Its is known for its range of vaccines like Anthrax, Black Quarter, Enterotoxamia, Haemorrhagic, Sheep Pox, Blue Tongue, Poultry, rabies and KFD (monkey fever); apart from the diagnostic antigens like Salmonella, Brucella and Myco Plasma.

Now the Institute is undertaking major research for the development of Swine Fever cell culture-based vaccines. Studies are going on for an alternative to the present rabbit serum based vaccine which is scare and difficult to produce.

There is an increased incidence of swine fever across the country and an acute shortfall of vaccines. Until a few years ago swine fever was prevalent only in north India but now it has spread to southern states. "Our research is focused on finding an affordable, simple and safe alternative vaccine, said Dr Renukaprasad.

At the institute there is a facility for vaccine production. The state government has installed a fermenter to increase the production of the vaccines. Vaccines for Blue Tongue disease affecting sheep and Black Quarter have been augmented by six times, stated Dr Renukaprasad.

With all these activities going in full swing, the Institute is facing a serious shortage of personnel. While the requirement is 57, there are only 23 scientists at IAH&VR "We need 29 more experts to help us out. The shortage has resulted following a ban on recruitment, stated Dr Renukaprasad.