Genome study: 180 million genetic variants found in 9,772 individuals, Pg 14

Key Highlights

GenomeIndia Project Findings

• Genomic data from 9,772 individuals across 85 Indian population groups (32 tribal, 53 non-tribal) revealed 180 million genetic variants.

• Conducted by GenomeIndia project, samples were sequenced to uncover rare and functional variants important for understanding complex diseases.

Scientific and Healthcare Impact

• Several variants are:

  • Associated with diseases.

  • Relevant to therapeutic response or resistance.

  • Unique to India or specific ethnic groups.

• Data deposited at Indian Biological Data Centre, Haryana.

Institutional Contributors

• Research led by CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad.

Application in Public Health

• Aim: Enhance diagnostics, predict drug responses, and promote precision medicine.

• Data will support the development of low-cost diagnostic kits, better policy planning, and inclusion of Indian populations in global genomic reference databases.

Analysis & Way Forward

• A transformative step in personalised healthcare, especially for India’s diverse genetic landscape.

• The government must invest in biotech infrastructure, ethical safeguards, and genomic literacy among clinicians and public.

Mains Mock Question:

"Discuss the potential of genomic mapping projects like GenomeIndia in transforming public health systems and personalized medicine in India."