AIIMS Jammu launches centre for advanced genomics, precision medicine to boost cancer care
Jammu: The All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Jammu on Monday launched the Centre for Advanced Genomics and Precision Medicine to boost affordable, precision-driven cancer care with advanced Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology.
The Centre, developed in collaboration with oncology company 4baseCare, is equipped with the Illumina NextSeq 2000 sequencing machine, offering comprehensive genomic profiling for cancer patients.
The powerful technology enables clinicians to design highly personalised, targeted treatment plans tailored to each patient's unique molecular profile. AIIMS Jammu announced its collaboration with 4baseCare in January.
'For every patient we treat, we are treating a mother, a father, a sister, or a brother. This partnership is our promise to every family who walks through our doors that we will do everything in our power to bring them the care they deserve,' Prof (Dr) Shakti Kumar Gupta, Executive Director and CEO, AIIMS Jammu.
'By integrating cutting-edge genomic data with AI-powered diagnostics, the Centre is poised to significantly improve early disease detection, refine therapy choices, and minimise ineffective treatments -- ultimately enhancing both patient outcomes and quality of life,' said Dr. Sudharshan Elangovan, Vice President – Global Operations at 4baseCare.
Traditionally, access to such advanced genomic testing has been prohibitively expensive for many patients. However, with this initiative, high-quality NGS-based tests will now be made available at affordable costs, paving the way for greater inclusivity in precision oncology across India.
Further solidifying its role as a national referral hub, the Centre will accept samples from patients and healthcare providers across the country, ensuring that cutting-edge molecular diagnostics are accessible, regardless of geographical barriers.
The Centre will focus on targeted, biomarker-driven therapies, enabling personalised treatment plans to improve outcomes and quality of life of cancer patients.
Using genomics the facility also aims to tackle rare diseases. And to boost healthier pregnancies, the centre will integrate cutting-edge genetic technologies such as Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT), Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS), and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
Garden Reach inks pact with Norway firm, India to build its first polar research vehicle
Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), a Government of India undertaking, signed an MoU with Norwegian firm Kongsberg on Tuesday to co-design and build India's first-ever polar research vehicle (PRV) indigenously. The MoU was signed in Oslo in the presence of Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, who termed it 'a commitment to fostering scientific discovery, advancing India's capabilities in polar and ocean research, and contributing to global efforts to address pressing challenges like climate change.' 'Let this MoU signing be a beacon of hope and progress, signalling India's unwavering commitment to scientific advancement and sustainable development. Together, we are building not just a vessel but a legacy — a legacy of innovation, exploration and international cooperation that will inspire generations to come,' Sonowal said. A PRV is a ship which serves as a platform for research in the polar regions (areas surrounding the North and South Poles). It can also help scientists undertake research in the ocean realm. India currently operates three research base stations in the polar regions — Bharati and Maitri in Antarctica, and Himadri in the Arctic region — and had been planning to have its own PRV for a while now. In 2023, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju informed the Rajya Sabha that the country would have its first PRV within five years at an estimated cost of Rs. 2,600 crore. According to the Ministry, the MoU marks an important milestone for India's shipbuilding sector as it will receive design expertise for developing the PRV 'while taking into account the requirement of National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, which will use it for research activities in the polar and southern ocean realms'. The PRV will be equipped with the latest scientific equipment, enabling researchers to explore the oceans' depths and study marine ecosystems, Sonowal said. It will be a testament to India's critical shipbuilding capabilities, boosting the Government's 'Make In India' initiative, he added. GRSE, which has built warships, survey and research vessels, will build the PRV in its yard in Kolkata. Meanwhile, Sonowal, who is on a five-day official visit to Norway and Denmark, also represented India in a ministerial meeting on the role of shipping in shaping the future. The meeting emphasised the need for the industry to seek out a stable, long-term, regulatory environment supporting inclusive and decarbonised ocean-based trade. Ministers from Brazil, Japan, UN, US, China and Norway also attended the meet. Underlining PM Narendra Modi's vision of SAGAR — Security and Growth for All in the Region — Sonowal said it 'leverages India's vast coastline, strategic location, and maritime heritage to drive economic prosperity, enhance regional security, and ensure sustainable development for all stakeholders'. 'This entails economic cooperation, capacity building, disaster management, information sharing and environmental stewardship. Upgrading from the SAGAR initiative, India's PM Narendra Modi ji announced MAHASAGAR — which is Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions, signalling further consolidation,' he added. Sonowal also held a roundtable meeting with Norwegian shipowners, and invited investment in India's maritime sector. Vikas Pathak is deputy associate editor with The Indian Express and writes on national politics. He has over 17 years of experience, and has worked earlier with The Hindustan Times and The Hindu, among other publications. He has covered the national BJP, some key central ministries and Parliament for years, and has covered the 2009 and 2019 Lok Sabha polls and many state assembly polls. He has interviewed many Union ministers and Chief Ministers. Vikas has taught as a full-time faculty member at Asian College of Journalism, Chennai; Symbiosis International University, Pune; Jio Institute, Navi Mumbai; and as a guest professor at Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi. Vikas has authored a book, Contesting Nationalisms: Hinduism, Secularism and Untouchability in Colonial Punjab (Primus, 2018), which has been widely reviewed by top academic journals and leading newspapers. He did his PhD, M Phil and MA from JNU, New Delhi, was Student of the Year (2005-06) at ACJ and gold medalist from University Rajasthan College in Jaipur in graduation. He has been invited to top academic institutions like JNU, St Stephen's College, Delhi, and IIT Delhi as a guest speaker/panellist. ... Read More
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
HC upholds TN law regulating online real-money games
Chennai: A Tamil Nadu law regulating online real-money games like rummy and poker by introducing age, money, time and ad restrictions, besides two-stage Aadhaar-based verification, has been upheld by Madras high court . "In true essence, the online real money games is a trade activity, which, if left unregulated, has immediate implications on health of the public," a division bench of Justice S M Subramaniam and Justice K Rajasekar said on Tuesday. Bench made the observation while dismissing a batch of petitions moved by online gaming platforms challenging validity of restrictions. Refusing to concur with the platforms which contended that a state govt lacks power to bring in such restrictions, the court said, "Both the Union and state govts have power to enact laws in their own respective subject matter apart from the common pool as enabled in List III (concurrent list). This court cannot hold that state is barred from enacting laws regulating online real money games. It is covered under the subject matter of public health and sanitation which comes under List II (state list)," judges said. The argument that Information Technology Rules, 2021 already prescribe a regulatory framework for intermediaries, including online gaming platforms, and hence the state cannot frame a subordinate legislation is unacceptable, the court said. "This court views that the state is fully within its competence to enact laws pertaining to online real money games. This court on perusal of the provisions of the Act (state legislation) finds no contradictions or provisions that run contrary to the central rules in force," the bench said. Moreover, the provisions related to online gaming under IT Rules, 2021 is yet to take effect and remains unenforceable as of today. So there exists a vacuum in regulating online games, the court pointed out. The judges added that they are of the view that the state govt has rightfully taken adequate steps to fill in the vacuum by framing the legislation. Rejecting argument that mandatory Aadhaar verification violates privacy of a player, bench said, "Right to privacy carries with it its own limitations and cannot be claimed in absolute. When put on a scale, a compelling public interest outweighs right to privacy."
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
Advanced Certification in Genomics launched
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER) in association with Apollo Health Resources Limited (AHRL) has launched an Advanced Certification in Genomics (ACG) programme. According to a press release, this initiative is part of a strategic partnership between SRIHER and AHRL and falls under the latter's Global Workforce Development initiative that aims to address global healthcare workforce shortages by preparing healthcare professionals for international healthcare careers. An agreement to this effect was recently signed between SRIHER and AHRL. The programme focuses on nurturing the next generation of clinical scientists in the field of genomics. The one-year full-time programme commencing in August 2025 will be conducted in person at SRIHER's Chennai campus. Applicants must hold a postgraduate degree (M. Sc. or M. Tech.) in any of the following disciplines such as Human Genetics, Biomedical Genetics, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Biomedical Sciences, Stem Cell Sciences, Clinical Research, Medical Laboratory Technology, Genetic Engineering and Medical Microbiology. It is designed in direct alignment with the curriculum specified by the National Health Service (NHS) in England. It offers comprehensive clinical and experiential training in genomics, with the core focus areas including Genetic Testing, Bioinformatics and Genomic Medicine, Cancer Genomics, Prenatal, Paediatric, and Adult Genomics, Genetic and Genomic Counselling. It includes hands-on training by national and international experts, English language, soft skills and interview preparation for UK-based healthcare roles (such as in NHS). The agreement was exchanged between Uma Sekar, Vice Chancellor of SRIHER and Sivaramakrishnan Venkateswaran, Chief Executive Officer of Apollo Knowledge. S. Senthil Kumar, Registrar of SRIHER and P. Venkatachalam, Head of Department, Human Genetics, SRIHER were present, the release said.
