Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the successful completion of the GenomeIndia project, calling it a historic step in India’s research landscape.

The GenomeIndia Project, which began in January 2020, is a national initiative to map the genetic diversity of India’s population. This could help advance the treatment of genetic and infectious diseases.

Researchers and scientists from more than 20 institutions found more than 135 million genetic differences, mainly involving small changes in a single DNA unit (called single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNVs) and small additions or deletions in the DNA sequence (called known as INDEL). A small number of these differences involve many variations.

The researchers analyzed 5,750 samples during the Phase 1 analysis, which revealed unique aspects of the genomic structure of Indians. Within this genomic treasure trove, they have uncovered a wealth of rare variations unique to our populations or specific subgroups, reflecting our unique population history and diversity.

In February 2024, the project completed whole-genome sequencing of 10,000 individuals from 99 ethnic groups.

The project also discovered 27 million genetic variations that are rare overall but much more common in some populations. Of these, approximately 7 million are completely new and not listed in the global database of known genetic variations.The database is expected to boost development of precision medicine and innovative drugs as well as aid government welfare schemes like the National Sickle Cell Anemia Eradication Mission.

This scientific program has created a comprehensive inventory of genetic variations that accurately represents the unique diversity of the Indian population.

Data from the project is now available through the Indian Biological Data Center (IBDC).

“Today India has taken a historic step in the world of research. The GenomeIndia project was approved five years ago. Despite the challenges posed by Covid, our scientists have completed this project. I am very happy that more than 20 research Prime Minister Modi said, organizations have played a very important role in research.

Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Science and Technology, highlighted the rapid growth of India’s biotechnology sector and said the country’s bioeconomy has grown 13 times in the last decade, from $10 billion in 2014 to $130 billion by 2024. Has exceeded.

The GenomeIndia project is expected to revolutionize research into genetic disorders and provide Indian solutions to Indian problems.