Source-This post on Genome India Project Completed is based on the article “‘10,000 genome’ project completed, says government” published in “The Hindu” on 27th February 2024.
Why in the News?
The government recently announced the completion of sequencing 10,000 healthy genomes from various regions across the country, representing 99 different populations. The aim is to establish a comprehensive database of whole-genome sequences out of India.
What is Genome India Project?
| Initiated | The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has initiated it in 2020. |
| Aim | To collect 10,000 genetic samples from citizens across India, to build a reference genome. |
| Objective | Studying genetic differences in Indians for better diagnosis. |
| Other Stakeholders involved | The project involves 20 institutions across India and is led by the Centre for Brain Research at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. |
| Significance | Study India’s genetic diversity for personalized healthcare. |
Note– India accomplished its first complete human genome sequencing in 2006.
What are the outcomes of the Genome India Project?
1. Population diversity– India has more than 4,600 distinct population groups, with many practicing endogamy. These factors contributed to the genetic diversity of the current population.
2. Unique variations– Some Indian groups have a higher prevalence of disease-causing mutations due to unique variations in their population. This underscores the importance of studying India’s genetic landscape.
Note– All the data will be stored at the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC) for public research. The IBDC is the country’s only databank for life science data, established in 2022.
What is Genome Sequencing?
1. About:
a. It is the process of determining the precise order of nucleotides (adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine) within an organism’s DNA.
b. It involves reading the genetic code contained in the DNA molecules to identify specific sequences of nucleotides.
2. Significance– It allows scientists to understand the complete genetic makeup of an organism, including its genes, regulatory sequences, and other functional elements.
3. Applications– Medicine, agriculture, evolutionary biology, and forensic science.
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