Genome India Project: Unlocking the Genetic Landscape of the Nation

The Dept of Biotechnology has released Indian Genetic Genome data of the Genome India Project and has started several programs such as ‘Framework for Exchange of Data Protics (FeED)’ and Indian Biological Data Centre to make ten thousand whole genome samples available to international researchers today. It will be considered as a landmark in knowing the amount of genetic variation that exists in India, moving towards the personalization of medicine, and helping the patient find his/her disease.

What is a Genome?

The genome can be described as the total genes and related gene spaces in an organism including both the genes and the DNA makeup of the gene spaces. In humans, the genome is made up of DNA arranged in 23 pairs of chromosomes, and it carries the complete set of instructions for building and maintaining an organism. The fundamental building blocks of DNA are four nucleotides, represented by the letters A (adenine), T (thymine), G (guanine), and C (cytosine). The locations at which these bases are strung out determine the genetic information that is inherent in an organism.

What is Genome Sequencing?

Genomic sequencing means the determination of the nucleotide order within an organism’s genome in its entirety. Ungenomic sequencing implicates the analysis of the genetic content of an organism from a DNA level and provides information on genomics. It aids in identifying the disease-causing genes and aids the process of explaining evolutionary biology.

Use of Genome Sequencing

• Disease Diagnosis and Treatment: Genome sequencing helps to identify somatic alterations, evaluate the probability concerning some diseases, to diagnose some pathophysiological states. For instance, it plays a part in cancer research in that it identifies the genetic cause of the disease and also searches for treatment choices.

• Personalized Drug Development: Sequencing promotes the further advancement of differential medicine in terms of producing individualized lean medications.

• Prenatal Screening: With it, possible genetic diseases or abnormalities in the fetus can be observed, and treatments made earlier.

• Prenatal Screening: It can diagnose certain hereditary diseases or abnormalities in fetuses so that appropriate action can be taken early.

• Agriculture: Genome sequencing can assist when identifying particular genes that are causing some positive characteristics in plants and or other animals so that they can be improved on through breeding.

• Forensics: It is used to solve criminal investigations, to determine paternity, and to identify remains.

• Evolutionary Biology: Molecular biology and related analytical methods allow studying the chronology of the formation of certain species and the distribution of genes in populations.

The Genome India Project (GIP)

The Genome India project is one the largest of its kind projects in the world that envisages building a physical map of the Indian Genome. Started by DBT in January 2020, GIP is expected to sequence 10,000 people’s genomes and build a reference database for Indians that will shed light on the genetic differentiation in the country.

Key Highlights of the GIP

• Whole Genome Sequencing:

  • The project has improved sample sequencing results to 10,074 samples and 99 ethnic groups which can be implemented for further usage as the Indian genetic information database.

• Genetic Database Creation:

  • The sequenced data is safely lodged in the Indian Biological Data Centre or IBDC and will thus be available for other studies by researchers.

• Sample Collection and Milestones:

  • More than 19 thousand blood samples were collected, the number of which exceeded the set. Task These samples are also deposited in the GenomeIndia Biobank for further analysis in future scientific investigation.

• Phase-1 Analysis:

  • The first part of the phase relates to the direct genotyping of 5,750 samples wherein several low-frequency genetic variants specific to the Indian population have been newly identified.

Areas in Which the Genesis of the Genome India Project 

India currently hosts a population of 1.4 billion with over 4,600 mentioned population groups many of whom have endogamous characteristics, which involve marriage within the groups. This in turn makes them prone to specific gene ailments within specific ethnic groups or families. The GIP contributes to identifying the above-mentioned genetic markers and rare genetic disorders and generates important information for public health and medical treatment.

Significance of the Genome India Project

• Improved Disease Diagnosis and Prevention:

  • Through GIP data, it will be possible to establish the set of genetic markers of particular diseases and their earlier diagnosis with subsequent prevention.  For instance, it will be useful in the diagnosis of genetic diseases including sickle cell disease and thalassemia in some ethnic populations.

• Advancement of Precision Medicine:

  • The Genetic and Informatics Program or GIP focuses on understanding genetic differences among Indians hence making medicine more personalized by relating treatments foreseen for patients to his/her genetic constitution.

• Empowerment of Genomic Research:

  • GIP’s dataset will be formed for Indian populations, and it will improve the global approaches to the assembly and annotation of reference genomes and will allow researchers to perform more focused studies.

Major Genome Sequencing Programs in the World

• Human Genome Project (HGP):

  • Initiated in 1990, the Human Genome Project was accomplished in 2003 and concerned the mapping of the human genome. It provided the backdrop by which genomic research was to be conducted across the globe. 

• IndiGen Project:

  • Jointly launched by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, the IndiGen Project planned to sequence the secret of one man thousand and 29 participants hailing from different ethnolinguistic populations in India. The project done in the year 2019 was beneficial in providing important data on the genetic structural physical map of India.

Conclusion

The Genome India Project (GIP) is a giant leap towards attaining Gene power in India and also helps in the privilege and study of Indian Genes at a worldwide level. To support the diagnosis of the country’s specific diseases and the effort to advance the field of individualized medicine, GIP has the vision to sequence the genomes of ten thousand people from different ethnic backgrounds. The successful completion of the project and the development of the best practice data-sharing frameworks such as FeED and IBDC pave the way toward genomics as the cornerstone of care, prevention, and medicine.