Genetics is the branch of biology which deals with genes and their roles in inheritance. It involves the scientific study of genes and their effects. Genes are the fundamental units of heredity which contain instructions for making proteins, directing cell activity and body functioning. They are specific sequences of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) which is the molecule that carries the genetic information. Genes are located on chromosomes, thread-like structures made of DNA and proteins. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, dogs have 39 pairs of chromosomes. This differs from organism to organism. Changes in DNA sequence of a gene is called mutations, which can affect the functioning of the gene and lead to diseases. Genes play a vital role in inheritance, that is, passing of traits from parents to offsprings. Genetics can be applicable in the fields of biotechnology, medicine, and agriculture.

Genomics is the branch of biology that describes the study of all of a person’s genes (also known as genomes) and their interactions with each other. This also includes the scientific study of complex diseases. Genome is the entire DNA set of the organism. Genomics is of two types, Functional Genomics; and Structural Genomics. Functional Genomics deals with overall function of genes within a genome. Structural Genomics deals with physical structure and organization of genomes. Genomics can be applicable in the fields of evolutionary biology, medicine, and agriculture.

In India, there is rapid advancement in fields of genomics and genetics; with initiatives such as GenomeIndia, Genome Project India, Indigen Project, Indian Genetic Disease Database (IGDD), Indian Genome Variation Database (IGVdB), GWAS Central – India, Index-dB, TMC-SNPdB, amd Sage; and with organizations such as The Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Genomics, MapmyGenome, Indian Council of Medical Research, Medgenome, Liliac Insights, CORE Diagnostics, National Institute of Biomedical Genomics, and Indian Biological Data Centre.

These advancements will indeed be helpful to us, such as, in the medicinal sector; understanding the genetic composition of the Indian population will help in personalized treatments to each individual, help identifying genetic proneness to certain diseases which will allow for early detection and cure, and understanding how genetic variations respond to drugs which will help develop more effective medicines.

The GenomeIndia Project aims to map the country’s genetic landscape and leverage this data. This project is funded by the Department of Biotechnology and the Ministry of Science and Technology, which involves collecting and sequencing genomes from diverse populations across India. This data is being stored at the Indian Biological Data Centre and is also made available for research purposes. The project has achieved quite a few of its goals since it has been started, including the collection of 20,000 samples from 83 diverse populations; genome sequencing completed for 10,000 of those samples; and this data archived at the Indian Biological Data Centre.

The Institute of Medical Genetics and Genomics was created in 1997. It has become one of the leading genetic center in India. More than 7000 patients are counselled every year and about 20,000 tests are performed every year. The Indigen Project is run by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research in India, which aims to perform genome sequencing of 1,000 different Indian genomes for clinical applications and rare genetic diseases. Indian Genetic Disease Database is a patient-based database for genetic diseases categorized into different therapeutic areas and currently covers over 100 diseases.

Indian Genome Variation Database is run by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research in India, having a database of the Indian population with haplotype (A set of closely linked DNA variations on a chromosome that tend to be inherited together) maps based on large multigenerational families. GWAS Central – India is a genotype-phenotype (Set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from interaction of its genotype with the environment) association database with findings from genetic association studies.

Index-dB is an open-access database for exomic (Portion of a genome that contains exons, which are sequences that code for proteins) variants of Indians. TMC-SNPdB is a germline variant database generated from the exome data of normal samples. SAGE is a database of 1,213 South Asian genomes and exomes and contains more than 154 million variants.

Mapmygenome is a company that provides various number of genetic tests. Medgenome is a genetic diagnostics lab which aims to bring precision testing solution for quicker diagnostics of complex diseases. Lilac insights is another genetics diagnostics lab specifically focused on reproductive and cancer genetics. Core diagnostics provide tests for hereditary cancers, hematological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, endocrine disorders and kidney diseases.

The future genomics landscape in India is promising. The genomics and pharmaceutical sector has already seen enormous growth in the past few years, with a 200% increase in foreign investment in 2020-21. While presenting the new Union Budget for 2022, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman identified genomics as a key “sunrise” opportunity, and announced that the government will bring about policies that support and bolster domestic capacities for genomic medicine. With ongoing research, technological advancements, and increased government support, the country is destined to become a leader in genomic medicine. The integration of genomic information into clinical practice has the potential to transform healthcare delivery in India, making it more personalized, precise, and effective.

How the Genetic Revolution Will Shape the Future of India

As India steps into the age of the Genetic Revolution, we are witnessing a dramatic transformation in gene-based science. This sweeping shift is bringing about a change in healthcare, agriculture and education. It will also affect jobs, the economy, and ethics. For a student, this might feel like science fiction. Is the change real? Will it affect our lives in tangible ways? Let us explore how the genetic revolution is affecting our lives in a positive way.

Healthcare Industry: Personalized Care and Better Detection