One Day One Genome’ Initiative

Source: This post on One Day One Genome’ Initiative has been created based on the article “‘One Day One Genome’ initiative to harness the microbial potential of India” published in PIB on 20th November 2024.

Why in news?

Recently, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) have launched the ‘One Day One Genome’ initiative.

About the initiative

1. Launched by: The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC)

2. Purpose: To highlight India’s unique microbial diversity and its role in environmental, agricultural, and human health.

3. Lead Organizations: Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (BRIC-NIBMG) under DBT.

4. Key Objectives

1. Highlight India’s Microbial Diversity: It showcases unique bacterial species found in India. It emphasizes their role in maintaining ecological balance, agriculture, and human health.

2. Promote Genome Sequencing: It enables visualization of microbial potential through genome sequencing. It also unlocks capacities for critical enzymes, antimicrobial resistance, and bioactive compounds.

3. Enhance Accessibility and Innovation: It provides publicly available annotated microbial genome data. It facilitates innovation and research in microbiology and its applications.

Significance of Microorganisms

1. Environmental Contributions: It drives biogeochemical cycles, soil formation, and organic waste degradation and aid in mineral purification and methane production, ensuring planetary homeostasis.

2. Agricultural Benefits: It facilitates nutrient cycling, nitrogen fixation, and soil fertility, control pests, weeds, and stress responses in crops and support plant growth through nutrient and water uptake.

3. Human Health Impact: It outnumbers human cells in the body, contributing to digestion, immunity, and mental health and serve as the foundation for combating infectious diseases through symbiotic relationships.

Benefits of Genome Sequencing

1. Unlocking Microbial Potential: It deciphers hidden genetic capabilities for enzymes, antimicrobial, and bioactive compounds. It also advances research for environmental protection, agricultural development, and health improvement.

2. Public Data Accessibility: It is fully annotated microbial genomes will be freely accessible and provide graphical summaries, infographics, and genome assembly/annotation details.

3. Stimulating Innovation: It enhances public understanding of microbial applications and encourages research discussions and innovations benefiting society and ecosystems.

About Microbes

1. Definition: Microbes are microscopic organisms, which include bacteria, viruses, fungi, archaea, and protists. They are too small to be seen with the naked eye.

2. Structure: Microbes can be single-celled organisms like bacteria and archaea or multicellular like some fungi. They are classified into prokaryotes (organisms without a nucleus, such as bacteria and archaea) and eukaryotes (organisms with a nucleus, such as fungi and protists).

3. Functions: Microbes play a critical role in ecosystems as decomposers, breaking down organic matter. They also participate in nitrogen fixation, which supports plant growth, and some act as pathogens causing diseases in humans, animals, and plants.

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology