Ahmedabad: In a first, Gujarat will create a genome database of the tribal population as the recently presented state budget allocated Rs 4 crore for the initiative for 2025-26. It is important to create such a database to understand genetic composition, susceptibility to specific genetic issues and early identification and prevention of diseases, said experts in the state.
It was presented as one of the projects proposed under the department of science and technology (DST). Senior officials associated with the initiative said the proposed initiative will encompass about 2,000 samples from the districts with a high share of the tribal population. In Gujarat, about 8.6% of the total population is identified as scheduled tribes (STs) and is concentrated in the eastern belt of the state in districts such as Dang, Panchmahal, Bharuch and Narmada, among others.
“Institutions in the state such as Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) have participated in the Genome India Project where they both collected samples and carried out whole genome sequencing. The proposed project will be carried out on similar lines where teams will be trained in collecting and analysing samples,” said an official associated with the initiative.
Experts said earlier projects had much smaller sample sizes, and thus a bigger sample size will provide them with better interpretation. “World over, such population-based records are created to understand genetic variations and specific issues associated with it. It helps in diagnostics. It can lead to specific assays to check biomarkers, can help in personalised medicine or flag group-specific genetic disease and targeted therapies,” said the official.
The budget has also sanctioned a Centre of Excellence for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in biology for One Health approach at the cost of Rs 2 crore at Gujarat Biotechnology University.
According to officials, the One Health concept looks at the health issues holistically and studies the transition of viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms from animals, birds, etc., to humans and vice versa. It also studies environmental factors and flags potential risk areas to prevent outbreaks such as Covid-19.
It was presented as one of the projects proposed under the department of science and technology (DST). Senior officials associated with the initiative said the proposed initiative will encompass about 2,000 samples from the districts with a high share of the tribal population. In Gujarat, about 8.6% of the total population is identified as scheduled tribes (STs) and is concentrated in the eastern belt of the state in districts such as Dang, Panchmahal, Bharuch and Narmada, among others.
“Institutions in the state such as Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) have participated in the Genome India Project where they both collected samples and carried out whole genome sequencing. The proposed project will be carried out on similar lines where teams will be trained in collecting and analysing samples,” said an official associated with the initiative.
Experts said earlier projects had much smaller sample sizes, and thus a bigger sample size will provide them with better interpretation. “World over, such population-based records are created to understand genetic variations and specific issues associated with it. It helps in diagnostics. It can lead to specific assays to check biomarkers, can help in personalised medicine or flag group-specific genetic disease and targeted therapies,” said the official.
The budget has also sanctioned a Centre of Excellence for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in biology for One Health approach at the cost of Rs 2 crore at Gujarat Biotechnology University.
According to officials, the One Health concept looks at the health issues holistically and studies the transition of viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms from animals, birds, etc., to humans and vice versa. It also studies environmental factors and flags potential risk areas to prevent outbreaks such as Covid-19.