DBT signs MoU with Ayush Ministry for evidence based biotech interventions in ayurveda

New Delhi: The Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology has signed an MoU with the Ministry of Ayush for mutual collaboration to explore the possibility of cooperation, convergence and synergy to bring out the expertise under one platform towards evidence based biotechnological interventions in Ayush sector.

The initiative aims for joint biotechnological R&D and Ayush interventions to improve quality of life as well as life span and bring down the associated morbidity pertaining to chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, cachexia, pain management and infectious diseases for example Tuberculosis.

Joint R&D efforts ranging from fundamental science to validation and thereafter product development, will significantly help in the growth of the Indian contributions to this important sector, not only nationally but internationally as well.  Emphasis would be given to mechanistic studies of Ayurveda Therapeutics using animal models of disease and other advanced analytical methods along with data analytical tools.

Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush said that the MoU between Ministry of Ayush and DBT is expected to pave way for coordinated researches in Ayush sector and the huge untapped potential of Ayush health care system may be utilized for the community benefit.

Dr. Rajesh S Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology said that this Inter Ministerial cooperation between Ministry of Ayush and DBT is expected to generate knowledge and new means of intervention strategies for difficult to treat diseases.

The combination of Traditional healthcare and Biotechnology would enable tremendous possibilities to undertake innovative and path-breaking research which can be used for the exploration of various Fundamental principles of Ayush systems.

There is a need of multi-pronged and technological ways for the exploration and application of this ancient scientific system of health care into the public health care domain.