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NCBS to set up lab for mice and men

By studying disorders in mice, biologists will have a better understanding of how several diseases occur in humans.

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To understand the physiology of mice better, the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) is setting up a world-class animal testing (mouse) facility.

NCBS, a part of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), will be setting up this facility, which will work in collaboration with the Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (InStem).

Vijay Raghavan, director of NCBS, said the proposed facility would not only study the physiology of mice but also create a new understanding of the human biological system.

“A simple roundworm, fruit flies, zebra fish, rats and mice are examples of model organisms. These organisms can be manipulated to show characteristics of developmental disorders.

By studying these disorders in mice, for example, we can understand, to a significant extent, how human development takes place as mice and human beings are quite similar,” he said.

Through the facility, biologists would potentially be working towards creating a better understanding of how several diseases work, be it lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and heart diseases or problems such as muscular dystrophies, which are inherited.

The Rs10-crore facility was funded by the department of atomic energy (DAE) which supports TIFR.

“Maintaining this facility will take several crores of rupees, which will also be funded through grants from the department of biotechnology,” he said.

While the construction of the lab is complete, in order to make the facility state-of-the-art, NCBS is collaborating with the RIKEN Cell and Developmental Biology Institute in Kobe and the McLaughlin Institute in Montana.

Raghavan was quick to point out the difference between animal testing laboratory and one meant for research. NCBS has already conducted several mice experiments over the years.

“These experiments are done after careful planning and clearance by our animal ethics committee which has external members, both experts and laymen,” he said.

He also spoke about several experiments that had led to important discoveries about diseases prevalent in human beings.

“Scientists at NCBS have done experiments in the understanding of how human cervical cancer develops, using mouse models. Experiments on the immune system have helped us understand how cells are programmed to survive or die,” he said. Drug testing will not happen in the laboratory.

“This is not a pharma testing site. It’s meant for high-end research. Drug and toxicity tests are not done by us and there are no plans at all to get them in place,” he said.

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