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Jobs aplenty for Vet Sc students

The specialisation of animal biotechnology has opened new doors for veterinary science, according to Dr Gaya Prasad, Head, Department of Animal Biotechnology , College of Veterinary Sciences, HAU, Hisar. Excerpts from an interview:

What has led to the emergence of animal biotechnology as a distinct discipline?

Owing to the vital significance of biotechnology in the livestock sector, animal biotechnology has emerged as a separate specialisation. The field has entrance test for admission to the government-sponsored M.VSc (AT) course and are studying at these institutions. The students also get a contingency fund of Rs 40,000 per head for research purpose during the course.

Besides, the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) at Izzatnagar, Bareilly, the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, and Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, also offer specialised courses in the discipline.

Work in progress at the Department of Animal Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Sciences, HAU, Hisar.

Thrust areas

Molecular diagnostics, recombinant vaccines, DNA forensics, animal genomics, embryo sexing and stem cell research are some of the emerging thrust areas in this highly specialised field. Wildlife conservation, cloning, bioinformatics and preservation of biological database are some other related aspects.

Development of biosensors to analyse animal products, besides finding ways and means to combat bio-terrorism and diseases like avian influenza (bird flu) and Newcastle (Ranikhet disease) spread through animals are other key areas.

Placement prospects

Animal Biotechnologists stand a fair chance of being absorbed by the rapidly growing biotechnology industry, research organisations, food-processing units, the defence sector or pharmaceutical industry. They can join some university or engineering college as faculty members. The prospects of going abroad on research projects are also bright, given the increasing scope of the discipline.