Indian Scientists Sequence 10,000 Genomes to Pioneer Gene-Based Remedies

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 28th Feb. In a groundbreaking achievement, scientists announced on Tuesday that they have successfully sequenced the genomes of 10,000 individuals from diverse Indian communities, marking a significant milestone in the realm of genomic research in the country. This endeavor aims to establish a comprehensive database that could revolutionize healthcare by paving the way for gene-based remedies.

Union Minister for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, hailed this milestone as a watershed moment for science in India during an address at a function in the national capital. He emphasized the pivotal role of genome sequencing in shaping future healthcare strategies globally, both in terms of therapy and prevention.

Singh underscored the imperative need for developing indigenous solutions to address the unique healthcare challenges faced by India, as the nation emerges as a prominent player in the league of scientifically advanced countries. He commended the Department of Biotechnology for its ambitious initiative to catalog the genetic variations among diverse Indian populations by sequencing the genomes of 10,000 healthy individuals representing 99 communities across the country.

With India’s population comprising over 4,600 distinct population groups, many of which are endogamous, Singh highlighted the rich genetic diversity inherent within the populace. He emphasized that this diversity underscores the necessity for tailored healthcare solutions specific to the Indian context, as certain disease-causing mutations may be amplified within particular population groups.

The creation of a comprehensive database of Indian genomes holds immense promise, enabling researchers worldwide to access insights into genetic variants unique to India’s population groups. This, in turn, could facilitate the customization of drugs and therapies to better address the healthcare needs of Indian individuals.

The GenomeIndia project, spearheaded by Prof Y Narahari and Dr K Thangaraj, not only encompasses the monumental task of sequencing genomes but also includes the establishment of a biobank housing 20,000 blood samples at the Centre for Brain Research. Additionally, data archiving efforts at the Indian Biological Data Centre underscore the project’s commitment to transparency, collaboration, and future research endeavors.

The data generated through this pioneering initiative is being meticulously stored at the Indian Biological Data Centre, situated at the Regional Centre for Biotechnology in Faridabad.