Microbiome:
- Microbiome: A microbiome is a collection of all microbes present at any location, be it soil, plant or the human body.
- Human Microbiome:
- Meaning: The human body carries diverse communities of microorganisms, which are mainly bacterial. These are referred to as “human microbiome”.
- Significance: These organisms play a key role in many aspects of host physiology, ranging from metabolism of complex indigestible carbohydrates and fats to producing essential vitamins, maintaining immune systems etc.
Indian Human Microbiome Initiative:
- The NCMR-NCCS will soon undertake the Indian Human Microbiome Initiative, a first-of-its-kind project on microbiome. The cost estimation for the project is Rs 150 crore and the proposal is being reviewed by the government.
- This project aims to study various microbiomes present in the human body and improve knowledge of evolution of the mutualism between ‘GUT microbiota’ and the host.
- About 90 endogenous groups will be studied along with 13 ethnic tribes chosen for their specific features.
National Centre of Microbial Resource - National Centre for Cell Science (NCMR - NCCS):
National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS):
- The National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) is an autonomous organisation aided by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.
- NCCS is located within the campus of the P. Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra.
- Its mandate is to serve as a national repository of animal cell cultures and undertaking research in cell biology. It has two repositories –
- Cell repository
- National Centre of Microbial Resource (NCMR)
National Centre of Microbial Resource (NCMR):
- With more than 180000 micro-organisms in its collection, NCMR is the largest culture collection in the world and single-handedly lifted India to 3rd place among countries having collection of microorganisms.
- It was recognised in 2009 as an International Depository Authority (IDA) for the deposit of microorganisms for the purposes of patent procedures under the Budapest Treaty by the World Intellectual Property Organization, Geneva.
- NCMR also got recognition as a Designated National Repository under the Biodiversity Act of 2002 from the Ministry of Environment.
