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Mahesh

29/02/24 08:02 AM IST

India’s genetic map

In News
  • The government’s Genome India initiative announced successful sequencing of 10,000 whole genomes of healthy persons from across the country, creating a genetic map of the population.
Genome India Project
  • The Genome India project was approved by the government in 2020 with the aim of creating a comprehensive catalogue of genetic variations found in the Indian population.
  • A map of genetic diversity is essential for understanding the history of our evolution, discovering the genetic basis for various diseases, and creating therapies of the future.
  • This cannot be done using data available in existing international databases, as Indian genomes are likely to be different from that of other populations.
  • Researchers who analysed 5,750 of the genome sequences have already identified 135 million genetic variants found in India.
  • This map will also create a unique resource.
  • This is because our population of 1.4 billion consists of more than 4,600 distinct groups.
  • With endogamy — marrying within the same community — common in India, the various groups have maintained their distinct genetic makeup.
  • This can help compare and contrast the impact of genetic variations on physical health.
Genome sequencing
  • The human genome is essentially a biological instruction manual that we inherit from our parents.
  • It is a tome written with just four letters, A,C,G, and T — the four bases that come together to create everyone’s unique genetic makeup.
  • There are around 3 billion pairs of bases in the complete human genome.
  • This contains all the information needed to create your physical form and maintain it throughout life.
  • From your height, colour of the eyes, the genetic diseases you get or those you are at a higher risk for, everything is determined by the genetic makeup.
  • To sequence the genome, researchers first extract the information from the blood.
  • With a complete sequence of 3 billion pairs being extremely hard to handle, scientists cut it up into small pieces and tag them — like you would when you disassemble furniture.
  • The A,C, G, T code of these smaller chunks are written down by a DNA sequencer and then the complete sequence is put together.
Importance of genetic map
  • It can help identify the genetic basis or genetic risk factors for various diseases.
  • It can help in targeted treatments, especially for rare diseases that usually arise from genetic anomalies.
  • An Indian genome database will have a significant impact on treatments for genetic diseases. It can help develop new therapies that can cure these diseases.
  • It can also help in identifying resistance-indicating variants — for example, genes that might make certain medicines or anaesthetics ineffective in certain populations.
  • An example from India is a set of a Vaishya community from South India, who lack the gene for properly processing common anaesthetics. For this group, use of such anaesthetics can result in death.
Duration of project
  • The first whole human genome was sequenced with the collaboration of an international team.
  • It took 13 years and $3 billion, and was completed in 2003.
  • India announced its first complete human genome in 2009. The technology has come a long way.
  • Now, it takes only about five days to sequence an entire human genome and perform all the quality checks. In fact, we were able to sequence the entire 10,000 genomes in a matter of three to four months
  • The samples were collected from the remotest parts of the country, covering various tribal populations as well.
  • In all, 99 distinct population groups were covered by the project. The collection was delayed multiple times due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Source- Indian Express

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