India’s Ministry of Science and Technology has unveiled an ambitious plan to sequence around 10 million genomes from the diverse local population. This initiative was announced by Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, in conjunction with the launch of the Indian Genomic Dataset. The project aims to provide public and global access to 10,000 whole genome samples for research purposes.
According to Dr Singh, this dataset will play a crucial role in advancing genomics research, leading to breakthroughs in personalized healthcare and medicine. The genomic dataset is part of the GenomeIndia project, spearheaded by the Department of Biotechnology, which aims to establish a comprehensive database representing India’s genetic diversity. This database will drive innovations in areas such as mRNA-based vaccines, protein manufacturing, and genetic disorder treatments.
To achieve the goal of sequencing population-level genomes, the Ministry of Science and Technology plans to collaborate with major healthcare institutions like Tata Memorial Hospital. In addition to the launch of the 10,000-genomic dataset, Dr Singh also introduced the Framework for Exchange of Data Protocols. This framework ensures that country-specific genomic data will be shared in a transparent, fair, and responsible manner, in accordance with the Biotech-PRIDE Guidelines.
Access to the Indian Genomic Dataset is facilitated through the Indian Biological Data Centre, a national life science repository established in 2022 under the Biotech-PRIDE Guidelines. This data centre archives all life science data generated from publicly-funded research. Over the past two years, India has been developing population-wide health and medical datasets to enable precision medicine and reduce reliance on foreign data sources.
The Indian Council of Medical Research, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science and the AI & Robotics Technology Park, is spearheading this initiative. In September of last year, India launched its first cancer multiomics database, the Indian Cancer Genome Atlas. This public-private national project provides open access to cancer datasets containing annotated DNA, RNA, and protein profiles of patients, along with their treatment histories and outcomes.
With these groundbreaking initiatives in genomics research and data sharing, India is paving the way for advancements in personalized medicine and healthcare. The integration of these datasets into the national research infrastructure will drive innovation and improve health outcomes for the country’s diverse population.
