The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is planning to develop new/improved vaccines for at least six diseases affecting the animal population in India.

The identified diseases are foot and mouth disease of cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and pig, Peste des petis ruminants affecting the sheep and goat, Blue tongue for cattle & sheep, New Castle Disease, Infectious Bursal Disease and Marek's Disease (T- cell lymphoma) affecting the poultry population.

The DBT have invited proposals from scientists, groups/individuals for providing program support for development of animal vaccines in these areas. The objective of the program is to develop newer or improved vaccines, which are heat stable and broad spectrum, having longer immune response, better adjuvant, less side effects and residues.

The Department also invited R&D projects in the area of animal nutrition. The broad areas identified for exploring use of biotechnological tools for efficient utilization of feed and fodder are genetic manipulation of rumen microbial ecosystem for improving productivity and protecting environment, identification of genes for better feed conversion of agro-byproducts, microbial feed additives (Probiotics) for enrichment of feed quality, use of fibrolytic enzymes in feed to improve digestability and nutritive value, and genetically modified silage bacteria, DBT sources said.