DNA – The Indian Blueprint
From personalised medicine to redefining global gene studies, this five-year scientific saga is a true celebration of India’s genetic diversity. A study on DNA revels.
Right, picture this: a jolly good team of boffins in lab coats, scattered across the Indian subcontinent, peering into the very essence of what makes us tick — our DNA. And after five years of squinting at gene sequences until their eyes crossed, they’ve only gone and done it — mapped nearly 10,000 Indian human genomes, uncovering a whopping 180 million unique DNA variants, 65 per cent of which are “ultra-rare”. That’s rarer than a cup of decent tea at an American diner, mind you.
The project, spearheaded by the National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG) in Kalyani and 19 other academic powerhouses, has created a database so rich in genetic diversity, it makes the Bhool Bhulaiya in Lucknow look like a child’s doodle.
A Right Proper Genetic Treasure Chest
So, what have they found? Aside from a rather large headache from all the sequencing, they’ve identified genetic quirks across 83 different population groups in India. These groups, until now, were glaringly underrepresented in global genome studies — a bit like inviting the whole world to a party but leaving out an entire continent from the guest list.
As Dr Chandrika Bhattacharyya, first author of the study published in Nature Genetics, put it: “This database is intended to be the foundation, a starting point for multiple lines of investigation into how our genomes connect to health.” Translation: this is just the tip of the double helix.
Each of the 9,772 individuals in the study didn’t just donate a cheek swab and call it a day. Oh no — they handed over over 30 health indicators too, including blood pressure, blood sugar, liver function, and more. Quite a full-body MOT, that.
The Ultra-Rare Gene Club
Now, here’s the clincher — 65 per cent of the 180 million DNA variants are ultra-rare, meaning they’re found in fewer than 0.1 per cent of the sample population. That’s like finding a unicorn at your local pub quiz.
So, what do these elusive gene variants do? At this point, even the scientists aren’t entirely sure. But the hope is to uncover whether these rare variations make people more (or less) susceptible to certain illnesses, or affect how they respond to various medications. It’s the genetic equivalent of figuring out whether someone prefers Earl Grey or builder’s tea just by looking at their teabags.
From One-Size-Fits-All to Tailored Trousers
According to Dr Nidhan Biswas, also of NIBMG, most existing polygenic risk scores — which predict disease risk based on one’s genes — are based on Caucasian data. That’s like designing umbrellas in Manchester and wondering why they don’t work in the monsoons of Mumbai. With this new database, Indian-specific predictions will hopefully become more reliable than a cricket commentary from Harsha Bhogle.
But wait — there’s more. This project is also paving the way for personalised medicine — where a doctor doesn’t just hand you a pill and cross their fingers. Instead, they’ll be able to tailor your meds based on your genetic makeup. For instance, a gene called CYP2C19 helps process a blood-thinner called clopidogrel. If your gene is wonky, the drug may as well be a sugar pill. Knowing who has the right version of the gene is crucial — and now, Indian doctors might finally have the data to make such calls.
Who’s Behind the Curtain?
Alongside NIBMG, credit goes to the clever folks at Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, and the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, all generously supported by India’s Department of Biotechnology. Honestly, it’s the scientific equivalent of the Avengers assembling — only with more pipettes and fewer capes.
A Future Written in Code
While the rest of us are busy wondering what to have for dinner, these scientists are quietly scripting the future of precision medicine in India. Whether it’s preventing heart attacks, managing diabetes, or simply understanding why Auntie Shanta can’t tolerate paracetamol, this genome mapping project might soon have answers written in A, T, G, and C.
So hats off to the genome gang. They’ve reminded us that India isn’t just diverse in culture, cuisine, and cricket loyalties — its genetic story is just as colourful, complex, and utterly fascinating.
Now, if only someone could map the genome of a Indian Rail timetable, we’d all be sorted.
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