Image Courtesy: PIB
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9 January announced the completion of the Genome India Project, describing it as an “important milestone in the biotechnology revolution” in the country, and unveiled the sequencing database of 10,000 Indians.
In his video message, the PM congratulated the scientific community on the achievement and laid out a roadmap for India’s future in genomics. He praised the initiative as a testament to India’s scientific prowess and its vision for the future of healthcare and biotechnology. This initiative will also develop an ecosystem which would act as Knowledge Hub and Innovation Hub and contribute to make Viksit Bharat @ 2047. He also reiterated that pro-people governance, Digital Public Infrastructure Development and Genomic Data Bank will empower India.
While launching the Framework for Exchange of Data Protocols (FeED) and the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC) portals at the Genome India Data Conclave in New Delhi, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh said, “India has developed its own genomic data set, a monumental achievement that will fuel future medical and scientific breakthroughs. The entire collection of 10,000 whole genome samples, archived at IBDC, is now made available for research purposes not only within India but globally. This data set will serve as a critical resource for genomics research, contributing to advancements in personalised healthcare and medicine.”
The IBDC will facilitate seamless access to valuable genetic information, enabling researchers to explore genetic variations and design more accurate genomic tools. The 10,000 whole genome sequencing (WGS) samples come from diverse Indian populations and provide a rich catalogue of genetic variations. This initiative is set to position India as a leader in genomics, enabling the development of genomic chips tailored to the Indian demographic, thereby enhancing the precision of genetic studies.
“The ‘Genome India’ project, spearheaded by the Department of Biotechnology aims to create a robust and comprehensive database of India’s genetic diversity. The data will serve as a foundation for cutting-edge research and will catalyse innovations in areas such as mRNA-based vaccines, protein manufacturing, and genetic disorder treatments,” emphasised Dr Singh.
The launch of the Framework for Exchange of Data (FeED) Protocols under the Biotech-PRIDE Guidelines ensures that the high-quality, nation-specific data will be shared in a transparent, fair, and responsible manner. The Biotech-PRIDE Guidelines, introduced in 2021, are a testament to India’s commitment to ethical and secure data sharing.
Launched in January 2020, the Genome India Project sought to construct a comprehensive catalogue of genetic variations within India’s population, reflecting the country’s immense genetic diversity. By conducting whole genome sequencing of 10,000 individuals from various population groups, the initiative aims to build a reference set of genetic variations unique to the Indian subcontinent.
The Genome India project is poised to make India a global hub for genomic research, positioning the country at the forefront of the next scientific and medical revolution.
