07.07.2025
India’s first National Biobank
Context :
India launched its first National Biobank under the Phenome India project, aiming to advance personalised healthcare and genomic research using Indian population data.
About :
- Inauguration: Launched at CSIR–IGIB, New Delhi, by Union Science Minister.
- Part of: Linked to Phenome India, a long-term health study.
- Developed by: CSIR–IGIB, supported by the Ministry of Science & Technology.
- Purpose: Track how genes and lifestyle affect diseases in Indian populations.
Characteristics Of National Bio bank :
- Data Collection: Records genomic, lifestyle, and health data of over 10,000 people.
- Tailored to India: Considers caste, region, and economic diversity unlike global models.
- Inspired by: Based on UK Biobank, but made for India’s specific needs.
- Disease Focus: Targets rare diseases, cancer, diabetes, and more.
- AI and CRISPR: Supports AI-based diagnostics and gene-editing therapies.
- Public Healthcare Impact: Helps create low-cost personalised treatments in government hospitals.
Phenom India Project
- Phenome India is CSIR’s first national health study focused on long-term tracking of cardio-metabolic diseases.
It was launched on December 7, 2023, covering diverse population groups across 17 states and 24 cities.
- Around 10,000 participants, including CSIR employees and their families, are part of this health monitoring project.
It collects data on health, lifestyle, body measurements, and genetic profiles for scientific analysis.
- The study gathers detailed clinical, biochemical, lifestyle, and imaging data to understand health patterns in Indians.
This helps track disease progression, risk factors, and environment-related health impacts over time.
- Its main goal is to develop India-specific risk models for diabetes, liver, heart, and other metabolic disorders.
These models will guide early detection and targeted medical responses across the country.
- The project promotes Predictive, Preventive, Personalized, and Participatory (P4) healthcare tailored to India’s genetic diversity.
It supports low-cost, population-specific solutions for chronic disease management and public health planning.
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council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
- CSIR, India’s largest R&D body, was established in 1942 and functions autonomously under the Ministry of Science.
It is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and headquartered in New Delhi.
- It conducts scientific research in fields like aerospace, biology, chemistry, engineering, and medical sciences across India.
CSIR supports national innovation and industrial growth through multidisciplinary research and applied technologies.
- The Prime Minister is CSIR’s President, while the governing body is led by a Director-General and advisory board.
The board includes experts from science and tech fields, each serving a three-year term.
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Challenges :
- Data Privacy: Protecting sensitive genomic data from misuse is crucial.
- Participation Barriers: Low health literacy in rural areas limits data contribution.
- Infrastructure Gaps: Many labs lack advanced storage and sequencing tools.
- Ethical Concerns: Consent, especially for tribal and marginalised groups, remains complex.
Way Forward :
- Strong Data Laws: Enact robust genomic data protection rules.
- Awareness Campaigns: Educate the public through ASHA and health workers.
- Lab Support: Fund Tier-2 city labs for sample collection and testing.
- Inclusive Participation: Use local NGOs to involve diverse communities in the study.
Conclusion:
India’s National Biobank is a milestone in medical research, enabling affordable, personalised treatment. With the right safeguards, it will transform public health and genomic innovation in India.