New Delhi: In a landmark move to advance India’s personalized healthcare ecosystem, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Phenome India National Biobank and launched the nation’s first longitudinal population health study at the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB).
The National Biobank will serve as a core repository of genetic, clinical, and lifestyle data, capturing the health trajectories of 10,000 individuals from diverse Indian geographies, ethnicities, and socio-economic backgrounds.
Also Read: Pune: NIV NAKSHATRA HPC Facility Launched to Power Genomic Research
The facility is expected to significantly enhance early diagnosis, AI-driven precision treatment, and population-specific health strategies, echoing models like the UK Biobank, but tailored to India’s unique demographic and disease profiles.
A Major Leap in India’s Biobank and Genomics Infrastructure
“This marks the beginning of a future where every Indian may receive personalized treatment, powered by their genetic and lifestyle data,” said Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of Science & Technology and Vice President of CSIR.
“The Biobank is not just infrastructure – it’s the foundation for next-gen healthcare driven by Indian data, innovations, and collaboration.”
Dr Singh also emphasized India’s leadership in emerging technologies like CRISPR, quantum science, and AI-based diagnostics, noting that CSIR-IGIB has become a frontrunner in developing indigenous CRISPR therapies for sickle cell anaemia, antimicrobial resistance, liver fibrosis, and rare genetic disorders.
Enabling India’s Personalized Medicine Vision
With rising instances of diseases that are uniquely prevalent in Indian populations – such as central obesity in lean individuals and complex gene-environment interactions – the Biobank offers a long-term, scalable solution to tackle these challenges through data-driven insights.
Also Read: Mapmygenome Acquires Microbiome Insights to Boost AI-Driven Genomics
“India’s diversity is our greatest research asset,” said Dr N Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR. “The Biobank is a ‘baby step’ with the potential to set global benchmarks in genomic science.”
She also cited the Biobank’s importance in supporting CSIR’s broader health efforts, including tribal-focused healthcare interventions and affordable diagnostics.
CSIR-IGIB’s Ongoing Contributions
Dr Souvik Maiti, Director of CSIR-IGIB, highlighted the institute’s two-decade leadership in human genomics, with key achievements such as:
- Launch of India’s first drug genome project
- Development of 300+ genetic tests for rare diseases
- Advanced work in COVID-19 genome sequencing
- AI-based pilot fitness assessments in partnership with the Indian Air Force
- Ongoing research in breast cancer, women-centric studies, and space biology
Through this Biobank initiative, India is not only bolstering its healthcare self-reliance but also paving the way for precision medicine, predictive health modeling, and globally competitive biomedical innovation.
