High security lab at NRCE soon

Hisar, Mar 31 (UNI) The National Research Centre on Equines (NRCE) here is soon going to establish a high security laboratory, known as BSL-3, to work on highly pathogenic animal micro-organisms.

While handling the high-risk pathogens that are highly infectious and harmful for animals and as well as for human beings, the BSL-3 facility will safeguard the environment and laboratory personnel working on such infectious agents.

NRCE director Dr S K Dwivedi told UNI that it would be the first such laboratory in North India and the third in the country.

''Recognizing the expertise and international achievements of NRCE, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research selected the Centre for establishing BSL-3 facility,'' Dr Dwivedi said.

The director informed that a grant of Rs three crore had been santioned for this purpose.

He said the NRCE had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Hospital Services Consultancy Corporation (an enterprise of the union Ministry of Health and family welfare) to develop highly specialized and sophisticated facility here.

He said with BSL-3 facility, the centre would get international recognition for working on highly pathogenic animal infectious agents.

UNI XC DP RL DS1137