GENOME SEQUENCING

April 19, 2019

In an indigenous genetic mapping effort, nearly 1,000 rural youth of India will have their genomes sequenced by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

About:

Project Objective: Educating students on the “usefulness” of genomics; To determine unique genetic traits of the citizens and their susceptibility (and resilience) to disease.
Bodies involved: The sequencing will be done at the CSIR laboratories namely Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB).
Methodology:
- Genomes will be sequenced based on a blood sample and the scientists plan to hold at least 30 camps covering most States.
- Every person whose genomes are sequenced will be given a report. The participants would be told if they carry gene variants that make them less responsive to certain classes of medicines.
Significance: The project would prove India’s capabilities at executing whole-genome sequencing. This is the first time that such a large sample of Indians will be recruited for a detailed study.