- Multi-omics combines genomics with proteomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics to tackle diseases comprehensively.
- India’s use of genomics has transformed the diagnosis, management, and treatment of diseases like tuberculosis, cancers, and those caused by antimicrobial resistance.
- Genomic Projects:
- Genome India Project: Completed sequencing 10,000 genomes from 99 ethnic groups to develop a reference genome for low-cost diagnostics and research.
- IndiGen Project: Sequenced entire genomes of 1,008 individuals in six months to create a pilot dataset for analysing genetic diseases and developing affordable screening approaches.
- Disease-Specific Initiatives:
- The Indian Tuberculosis Genomic Surveillance Consortium aims to sequence 32,000 clinical strains, map genetic diversity, and develop a sequence-based method to determine drug resistance.
- Mission Program on Pediatric Rare Genetic Disorders (PRaGeD) is a PAN-India initiative funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) for pediatric rare genetic disorders using next-generation sequencing.
- The Indian Cancer Genome Consortium and the Indian Cancer Genome Atlas project aim to identify genetic variations linked to cancer risk and treatment response, facilitating personalized treatment strategies.
- Genomics and metagenomics are used to analyse antibiotic resistance,
Dig Deeper: Role of Genomics in Vaccine Development and list major Covid vaccines developed using Genomics.
