Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurates 'National Biobank' and India's own Longitudinal population data study at CSIR-IGIB
The newly launched facility marks a significant stride towards building India's own longitudinal health database and enabling personalised treatment regimens in future, said the Ministry of Science and Technology.
The Biobank will serve as the backbone of a nationwide cohort study, collecting comprehensive genomic, lifestyle, and clinical data from 10,000 individuals across India. Drawing inspiration from the UK Biobank model, the Indian version is tailored to capture the country's unique diversity across geography, ethnicity, and socio-economic backgrounds. Researchers believe the initiative will aid early diagnosis, improve therapeutic targeting, and bolster the fight against complex diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular ailments, and rare genetic disorders, the Ministry added.
'Today, we hold the promise of a future where every Indian may receive individualised treatment tailored to their genetic makeup, lifestyle, and environment,' Dr. Jitendra Singh said while addressing the scientists and researchers at IGIB. 'This transition to personalised healthcare is no longer theoretical--it is becoming reality, driven by indigenous innovations.'
Reflecting on the unique health challenges faced by Indians, Dr. Jitendra Singh noted the high prevalence of central obesity, a risk factor often underestimated. He highlighted past research showing that seemingly lean Indians may carry disproportionate fat around their waist, underlining the need for population-specific health strategies. 'Our conditions are complex and deeply heterogeneous. This is where the Biobank becomes vital--it allows us to decode that complexity,' he said.
The Minister emphasised that India's scientific landscape is evolving rapidly, citing recent advances in quantum technology, CRISPR-based genome editing, and the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). 'India is no longer lagging behind--we are among the early adopters, sometimes even ahead,' he said. The Biobank, he added, will complement these efforts by generating the kind of high-resolution data that can power AI-driven diagnostics and gene-guided therapies.
Dr. Jitendra Singh also called for deeper collaboration between research institutions, government departments like the Department of Biotechnology, and industry partners, particularly in areas such as AMR and drug development. 'Research must extend beyond the lab--it must find takers in the market and beneficiaries in society,' he noted.
The Phenome India Project, under which the Biobank has been launched, is designed to be a long-term, data-rich study tracking the health trajectories of individuals over several years. It will help scientists uncover disease patterns, gene-environment interactions, and response to therapies--all within the Indian context.
Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, commended the launch of the Biobank as a bold step toward India's self-reliance in healthcare data. Describing the initiative as a 'baby step' with the potential to evolve into a global benchmark, she noted that the diversity and depth of the Indian cohort data could one day rival or even surpass global counterparts like the UK Biobank. Dr. Kalaiselvi highlighted CSIR's holistic efforts in areas like sickle cell anaemia through indigenous CRISPR-based therapies, affordable diagnostics, and collaborative interventions with tribal communities, while urging IGIB scientists to continue setting national examples in data-driven, people-centric research.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Souvik Maiti, Director of CSIR-IGIB, reflected on the institute's pioneering role in genomics over the past two decades. 'We were the first institute in India to begin decoding the human genome at a time when sequencing tools were practically non-existent,' he said. Highlighting achievements such as the development of over 300 genetic diagnostics for rare disorders, extensive work on COVID-19 genome sequencing, and the launch of India's first drug genome project, he emphasised IGIB's mission of using global technologies to solve local health challenges.
Dr. Maiti also pointed to ongoing work on women-centric studies, breast cancer genomics, and the development of indigenous CRISPR-based therapies for sickle cell disease, adding that IGIB's research now extends to domains like space biology and AI-based pilot fitness assessments in collaboration with the Indian Air Force. (ANI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
13 minutes ago
- The Hindu
‘Infosys doesn't want employees to work extra hours to ensure work-life balance, better productivity'
At a time when N. R. Narayanamurthy is holding firm about Indian workers logging in at least 70-hour work weeks, the company he co-founded and has later retired from, Infosys, has been mailing its employees to ensure they maintain a good work-life balance. The country's second-largest tech firm wants its employees to work only 9.15 hours, five days a week, on average. And, if anyone is found working more hours than required, a system triggers a message to that employee reminding him or her of the importance of work-life balance. This platform tracks all employees working from home and from various offices of the company. 'We reach out to employees who are spending more time at work very proactively to ensure proper work-life balance and encourage them to focus on holistic well-being,' said a source at the company. Infosys is currently in a silent period and therefore did not comment officially. 'Our commitment to mental and physical wellness is supported by a wide range of health initiatives and resources. Through our award-winning HALE (Health Assessment and Lifestyle Enrichment) programme, we continue to foster a culture of health, safety, and overall wellness,' he further said. According to information available with The Hindu, since its inception, HALE has done pioneering work in the area of employee health (physical & mental), employee safety, encouraging leisure and creating and sustaining a healthy workforce, which can balance work life and is productive. HALE has four key pillars to make the programme more holistic: Health, Safety, Leisure and Emotional Wellbeing. 'A proactive approach to health and life enrichment aimed at increased awareness, overall wellbeing resulting in good health, reduced stress levels, safe work environment and improved productivity levels,' says the company. The source further said, the Infosys Employee Relations team anchored activities which involve constant employee engagement and understanding of people issues. Through their experience, the team found strong evidence of an early onset of physical, mental and psycho-somatic illness in a young workforce. A sedentary lifestyle coupled with high work pressure and stress was resulting in heart ailments, high blood pressure, cases of depression and mental disorders, cases of suicide, attempts at bodily harm, and many cases of marital discord. 'Yes, we have deadlines and a lot of stress at work. Still, we have facilities at the workplace to relax, rest and rejuvenate ourselves. These days, bosses don't want us to work extra hours and they want us to focus on work-life balance and be productive,'' said a techie employed by Infosys. Further, medical research corroborated these findings and showed that proactive early interventions that lead to early detection, coupled with treatment options and lifestyle changes, can contribute significantly towards enhancing the active working age of an individual as well as directly impact workplace productivity. A twin focus on the Infosys commitment to provide employees an emotional value proposition as well as on the company's adherence to its core values led to the formation of HALE, the source added.
News18
36 minutes ago
- News18
Keep Your Cholesterol In Check: Here's What Doctors Wish You Knew About High LDL Cholesterol
Last Updated: Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in the country, accounting for nearly 7.8% of total mortalities Across the country, episodes of heart-related conditions like heart attacks are becoming increasingly common. But doctors are raising an alarm: high LDL cholesterol (also known as 'bad cholesterol") is showing up more frequently in India's younger population and it's a silent threat. Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in the country, accounting for nearly 7.8% of total mortalities. Behind many of these cases lies high LDL cholesterol, which plays a critical role in blocking arteries and triggering conditions like atherosclerosis and strokes. Dr. Sarita Rao, Senior Interventional Cardiologist and Director of Cathlab, Apollo Hospital, Indore, says, 'The role of LDL cholesterol (LDLC) in the development of atherosclerosis is well documented, where LDLC tends to accumulate and form plaque, creating blockages in the arteries and restricting blood flow. What makes it even more concerning is that high LDLC, like most heart conditions, doesn't show any symptoms. By the time there is chest pain or any warning sign, a cardiac event could already be underway and it may be too late. So, bringing high LDL cholesterol down to target levels is the primary objective for preventing serious heart conditions." Why Indians Need to Be Extra Cautious When compared to Western populations, Indians have been found to have higher levels of LDL cholesterol and lower levels of HDL cholesterol (the 'good" cholesterol that helps remove LDL from the bloodstream). This is why doctors recommend that cholesterol screening begin as early as 18 years of age. Early testing helps in detecting silent threats and allows one to take action before things escalate. People who may appear fit can still have high LDL cholesterol. 'I'm in my 30s, I work out regularly and eat clean," shares Delhi-based Ajay. 'I was confused and surprised when a routine test showed that I had high LDLC. My cardiologist explained that elevated LDL cholesterol could have various reasons and encouraged me to continue medical therapy alongside my healthy routine." It's Not Just About Eating Right We know that lifestyle modifications like a healthy diet, regular exercise, and stress management are essential but they're not always enough. Doctors emphasize that medical therapy should not be delayed or skipped, especially if your LDLC numbers are beyond the target range. Each patient's treatment journey is unique. Factors such as age, family history, diabetes status, or previous cardiac events all influence an individual's LDLC targets. This is why personalized treatment plans are crucial. It's important to seek professional medical advice and actively participate in treatment. However, in India, it's observed that only about 60% of patients adhere to their prescribed medication, a worrying trend. Misconceptions often lead people to stop their medication, which causes a rebound in LDL levels and heightens cardiovascular risk. Moreover, stress, poor sleep, and metabolic imbalances can also elevate LDLC levels. These factors contribute to chronic inflammation, prompting the body to produce more LDL cholesterol, thereby increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke. When Lifestyle Isn't Enough – Advanced Therapy Is Key For patients who don't respond well to conventional statins, advanced therapies are increasingly being prescribed. Targeted treatments like PCSK9 inhibitors, siRNA therapy, or inclisiran show great promise in helping patients reach their target LDLC levels when standard options fall short. Always remember: high LDL cholesterol may not show symptoms but its consequences can be fatal. Whether you're a gym regular or someone who's never thought twice about your cholesterol, it's time to get screened, stay informed, and stick to your treatment plan for a healthier heart.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
From Kuttu to Jawar: Indian grains and their english names
They've been in your kitchen for years, kept in old tins or stored in cloth bags. You eat them in rotis, dosas, cheelas and khichdi, but do you know their names in English? Indian grains are packed with nutrition, flavour and tradition. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While some are known around the world, others are still waiting to be noticed beyond our local markets. Here's a look at five Indian grains, their English names and why they belong in your daily meals. Kuttu – Buckwheat Kuttu is a popular fasting grain in many Indian households. In English, it's called buckwheat. Despite the name, it has nothing to do with wheat and is completely gluten-free. It helps boost energy, keeps you full for longer and is known to be easy on digestion. From soft kuttu rotis to crispy pakoras, this one brings both taste and balance to your meals, making it a smart choice beyond just festive days. Jowar – Sorghum Jowar, or sorghum, is one of the most ancient grains in the world. It's high in fibre, packed with antioxidants and makes for a perfect gluten-free alternative to wheat. Soft, warm jowar rotis pair beautifully with sabzis and chutneys. You'll also find it used in porridge and laddoos across different states. It's hearty, filling and naturally cooling in summer. Bajra – Pearl millet Bajra goes by the name pearl millet in English. It's a winter staple in many parts of India, especially in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Known for its warming nature, bajra helps improve gut health and keeps you feeling full and energised. You can make bhakris, theplas or even bajra khichdi. It's the kind of grain that brings both flavour and strength to the table. Ragi – Finger millet Ragi, also known as finger millet, is one of the best grains for growing kids, elders and everyone in between. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It's packed with calcium and iron and helps support brain development and bone strength. You'll find it used in dosas, idlis, laddoos and even in porridges for babies. It has a naturally earthy flavour that blends beautifully into both sweet and savoury dishes. Rajgira – Amaranth Rajgira, or amaranth, is a small but mighty grain often used during fasting. It's high in protein, minerals and antioxidants. Whether popped like popcorn or made into laddoos and rotis, rajgira adds texture and nutrition to every bite. Its nutty flavour works well in modern granola bars too.
