Indian Journal of Animal Health Articles

Editorial

Recent trends in diagnostics and therapeutics in livestock, dairy, and aquaculture research focused on enhancing accuracy, reducing invasiveness, and improving applicability across species. Advanced molecular diagnostics, including next-generation sequencing (NGS), PCR-based assays, and CRISPR technologies, enable rapid detection of genetic and infectious diseases in diverse animal and aquatic species. Biomarker discovery and omics approaches are increasingly employed to monitor health status and therapeutic responses with high specificity and precision. Non-invasive imaging techniques and optical imaging are integrated to track disease progression and treatment efficacy longitudinally in vivo, minimizing animal sufferings and/or sacrifice. Precision therapeutics are tailored using gene-editing tools like CRISPR-Cas9 to develop or correct disease models in livestock and aquatic species, alongside biologics such as monoclonal antibodies and RNA-based therapies that target specific molecular pathways. Furthermore, in animal food products processing, quality assurance now integrates real-time biosensors and IoT-based monitoring for pathogens, antibiotics, and toxins. Also, blockchain and spectroscopic techniques (NIR, Raman) ensure traceability and chemical safety of meat, milk, fish and eggs. Additionally, artificial intelligence and machine learning facilitate integration and analysis of complex multi-modal datasets (molecular, imaging, and behavioural), advancing predictive models and identifying novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets across these research fields. These innovations collectively enhance animal welfare, reduce risks of antimicrobial resistance, and bolster food safety from farm to fork. Under this framework, trends in diagnostics and therapeutics are not considered individual pillars, but rather an integrated network. Updated knowledge on this important issue is required to achieve sustainable, equitable, and resilient food systems that safeguard human planetary health. Indian Journal of Animal Health has taken the noble initiative to publish a special issue on ‘Recent trends in diagnostics and therapeutics in Animal Research’. This warrants an up-to-date compilation of information so that the stakeholders e.g. researchers/professionals/policy makers in the field are benefited.

✓ Advanced Diagnostics and Omics Technologies
(NGS, PCR, CRISPR diagnostics, biomarkers, and multi-omics approaches)
✓ Precision Therapeutics and Biotechnological Interventions
(Gene editing, biologics, RNA-based therapies, and disease modeling)
✓ Non-invasive Imaging and Animal Welfare Innovations
(In vivo imaging techniques for disease monitoring with minimal invasiveness)
✓ Smart Technologies in Food Safety and Quality Assurance
(Biosensors, IoT, spectroscopy, and blockchain for traceability and safety)
✓ Artificial Intelligence and Data-Driven Animal Health Systems
(Machine learning, predictive modeling, and multi-modal data integration)
✓ Sustainable and One Health Approaches in Animal Research
(AMR mitigation, welfare, environmental sustainability, and policy perspectives)

[Author’s Guidelines: https://www.ijah.in/author-guidelines]

Section Editors: Prof. S. K. Nandi, Prof T.J. Abraham, Prof. S. N. Joardar, Dr. D. Kamilya, Dr P.N. Raju and Dr. Joycee Jogi