In a significant development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the culmination of the Genome India Project on Thursday, January 9. He described it as a milestone in the biotechnology revolution in the country. He also unveiled the sequencing database of around 10,000 Indian nationals.
About the Genome India Project
Notably, the Genome India Project is a significant research initiative launched in 2020. It was launched by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. Its primary goal was to sequence the genomes of 10,000 Indian individuals from diverse populations across the country.
The project was aimed at creating a comprehensive catalog of variations unique to the Indian population. This will prove to be helpful in understanding the genetic basis of disease, improving precision medicine, and developing the targeted healthcare sector of the country.
Through this project, the gathered data of 10,000 Indians will now be made available to researchers through managed access at the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC).
PM Modi Hails Genome India Project
In a video message, PM Modi addressed the Genomics Data Conclave, hosted by the Department of Biotechnology. He commended the project as a pivotal step in India’s biotechnology revolution and emphasised the creation of diverse genetic resource.
“This data will now be available to our scientists and researchers, helping them understand India’s landscape better. The information derived from this will greatly assist in policy making. It is designed of various schemes for the country, the Prime Minister stated.
Further, PM Modi stressed that this national database will facilitate advancements in the treatment of genetic and infectious diseases. It will foster the development of new medications and precision medication techniques and will also enable research into the lifestyle and habits of diverse communities.
What is a genome?
Additionally, a genome is the complete set of genetic material in an organism. It includes all of the DNA, which contains the instructions needed for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of the organism. These include embryogenesis, growth, responding to the environment, and healing from disease.
In humans, the genome consists of about 3 billion DNA base pairs, organized into 23 pairs of chromosomes.
The Genome project has been undertaken by a consortium of over 20 leading institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in New Delhi, Madras, and Jodhpur; the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru; the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR); and the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC).
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