Gujarat becomes first state in India to launch Tribal Genome Sequencing Project
healthcare
for
tribal communities
,
Gujarat
has become the first state in India to launch a Tribal
Genome Sequencing
Project, Tribal Development Minister Dr. Kuber Dindor announced at a high-level dialogue held in Gandhinagar.
The initiative aims to enhance understanding of
genetic health risks
within tribal populations and improve access to
personalised healthcare solutions
.
The consultation was chaired by Dr. Kuber Dindor, Gujarat's Minister for Tribal Development, along with State Tribal Development Minister Kunvarji Halpati.
The project will be implemented by the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC).
Under this initiative, 2,000 individuals from tribal communities across 17 districts of Gujarat will undergo genome sequencing. The aim is to build a genetic database that could lead to the early detection and better treatment of inherited diseases, such as
sickle cell anaemia
,
thalassemia
, and certain forms of cancer.
Additionally, it will identify markers for natural immunity and allow health profiles to be linked with tailored medical care.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Dindor stated, "This project will serve as a milestone--bridging the gap between science and tradition--toward a healthier and more prosperous future for our tribal communities. It's not just a scientific initiative, but a focused campaign to bring long-term improvements in tribal health."
Experts participating in the dialogue emphasised the critical role of genomic data in tribal healthcare.
They noted that the project is not merely about scientific discovery, but about empowering communities through modern technology and advanced data analysis.
The initiative will feature cutting-edge facilities for everything from physical sample collection to the interpretation of genetic data.
The Tribal Genome Project also addresses the longstanding gap in genomic data for India's tribal populations.
Approved under the 2025-26 state budget, the project, titled "Creation of Reference Genome Database for Tribal Population in Gujarat", seeks to create a vital reference database for future research and policy planning.
Prominent attendees at the event included Members of Parliament and MLAs from Gujarat's tribal regions, Principal Secretary of Science and Technology Ms. Mona Khandhar, Principal Secretary of Tribal Development Ms. Shahmeena Husain, Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr. Vikrant Pandey, GSBTM Mission Director Shri Digvijaysinh Jadeja, GBRC Director Prof. Chaitanya Joshi, and Tribal Development Commissioner Shri Ashish Kumar, along with leading scientists and representatives from tribal communities.
This landmark initiative not only sets Gujarat apart in biotechnology but also reflects the state's commitment to inclusive development and scientific progress.
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Indian Express
6 days ago
- Indian Express
Gujarat to create genome database of tribal communities: what's the project, why
In a first in the country, the Gujarat government has announced a genome sequencing project to create a database from 29 tribal groups across 17 districts of the state. The exercise, a local extension of the recently completed Genome India Project (GIP), will be carried out over the next five years. The entire eastern belt of Gujarat, which shares borders with Rajasthan in the north, Madhya Pradesh in the east and Maharashtra in the south, has districts with a predominantly tribal population. The Genome India Project — its report was released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January — saw 10,000 genomes from 83 diverse groups processed and stored at the Indian Biological Data Centre. It had around 1,800 samples from Gujarat, which included around 100 samples from tribal communities, not enough to represent them. Thus, the Gujarat Tribal Genome Sequencing Project aims to gain critical insight into the genetic makeup of these tribal groups, which, at 15% of the state's population, consist of approximately 1 crore people. This initiative is also expected to enrich the Central Genome India dataset. The project, approved in the Gujarat budget of 2025-26, will be helmed by the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC). Implications of the project Mona Khandhar, Principal Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, said the understanding of genome characteristics will help the government in making more focused programmes. Subject enrollment will take place after a formal launch of the project by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, so that awareness begins before field researchers go to the villages. 'Our field teams will seek help from the local administration, communities, as well as the political leadership. This is why it was important to explain the project to MPs and MLAs. We are also taking help from researchers at Birsa Munda Bhavan and the Tribal Development Department,' said a scientist involved in the project. The project's six-point agenda includes capturing the unique diversity of India's population, improving diagnosis of rare diseases, supporting development of novel drugs, developing precision medical treatments tailored to genetic profiles, building a genomic reference panel for the tribal population, and boosting public health research infrastructure. Many among the tribal communities from Gujarat have excelled in sports. Director of GBRC Prof Chaitanya Joshi said, 'These tribes can be very good in, say, archery, or skills other communities may not have. So what are the genes associated with that? With this project, skill sets associated with genes can be identified.' Health aspect Health problems like malnutrition, anaemia, low BMI, prevalence of genetic diseases like sickle cell anaemia, G6PD deficiency are common in the tribal communities in Gujarat. Scientist and Joint Director at the GBRC Amrutlal K Patel said, 'So far, the medicines developed have been studied on the western population and we haven't explored the Indian genome. Diseases are more prevalent in specific communities and ethnicity also due to the Indian tradition of endogamy, as a result of which genome variations are conserved within castes.' Patel gave an example of how deaths due to organ failure were reported in certain tribes when they crossed 30 years of age. Two years ago, the GBRC researched some patients and their first degree family members, and found this was due to the mutation of the transthyretin (TTR) gene, resulting in the aggregation of protein that reached the organs, causing failure. Some mutations increase the chances of a disease, for instance BRCA1 and 2 genes in breast cancer. These are generally detected after 50 years of age and after tests. 'We can identify these in advance and design a policy that can prevent the prevalence of breast cancer. All these measures decline the disease burden on the community and thus the state government,' a scientist said. The process As part of this project, scientists will collect samples from 4,158 individuals from various tribal communities, including data on their physical measurements and blood biochemistry, and create a 2,000-strong diverse database of tribal genomes. 'We will genotype the samples and remove those that are genetically close to each other. Out of 4,158, we will do SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) type genotyping and take those with the most diverse genetics. The precaution is also because there might be bias during sample collection, which can then be eliminated at the analysis stage,' an official said. Of these, 378 will be trio samples. This means that samples will be taken of three members of the same family, including an individual as well as his/her biological parents. The other 3,780 will be individual samples. Apart from blood samples, stool samples will also be collected for microbial information. The role of the tribal department, according to Shahmeena Husain, principal secretary, will be to facilitate the technical team. 'We will facilitate the technical team as it will be a task to convince people to give samples.' Apart from name, education, medical history, information collected would include genealogical tree and addictions, physical characteristics like height, weight, BP, blood sugar, and waist measurement. The analysis After the samples have been collected, they will be stored at GBRC, where haematological and biochemical analysis of blood samples will take place. 'First, when the samples come from the field to the lab in Gandhinagar, they will be given Unique IDs. So those who receive the samples will neither know the gender nor the tribe of the person whose sample they are running through the process. This first round of encryption will be stored in our servers. Then, when it goes into the final process of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), the data will be encrypted for the second time,' said a researcher close to the project. Joshi said Odisha and Madhya Pradesh, which have 22% and 21% tribal population respectively, have shown interest in the project. 'Modalities on whether they want to be a part of it or contribute to it will be decided by the state, but if they approach us, we are ready.'
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Time of India
Gujarat becomes first state in India to launch Tribal Genome Sequencing Project
In a pioneering move toward improving healthcare for tribal communities , Gujarat has become the first state in India to launch a Tribal Genome Sequencing Project, Tribal Development Minister Dr. Kuber Dindor announced at a high-level dialogue held in Gandhinagar. The initiative aims to enhance understanding of genetic health risks within tribal populations and improve access to personalised healthcare solutions . The consultation was chaired by Dr. Kuber Dindor, Gujarat's Minister for Tribal Development, along with State Tribal Development Minister Kunvarji Halpati. The project will be implemented by the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC). Under this initiative, 2,000 individuals from tribal communities across 17 districts of Gujarat will undergo genome sequencing. The aim is to build a genetic database that could lead to the early detection and better treatment of inherited diseases, such as sickle cell anaemia , thalassemia , and certain forms of cancer. Additionally, it will identify markers for natural immunity and allow health profiles to be linked with tailored medical care. Speaking at the event, Dr. Dindor stated, "This project will serve as a milestone--bridging the gap between science and tradition--toward a healthier and more prosperous future for our tribal communities. It's not just a scientific initiative, but a focused campaign to bring long-term improvements in tribal health." Experts participating in the dialogue emphasised the critical role of genomic data in tribal healthcare. They noted that the project is not merely about scientific discovery, but about empowering communities through modern technology and advanced data analysis. The initiative will feature cutting-edge facilities for everything from physical sample collection to the interpretation of genetic data. The Tribal Genome Project also addresses the longstanding gap in genomic data for India's tribal populations. Approved under the 2025-26 state budget, the project, titled "Creation of Reference Genome Database for Tribal Population in Gujarat", seeks to create a vital reference database for future research and policy planning. Prominent attendees at the event included Members of Parliament and MLAs from Gujarat's tribal regions, Principal Secretary of Science and Technology Ms. Mona Khandhar, Principal Secretary of Tribal Development Ms. Shahmeena Husain, Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr. Vikrant Pandey, GSBTM Mission Director Shri Digvijaysinh Jadeja, GBRC Director Prof. Chaitanya Joshi, and Tribal Development Commissioner Shri Ashish Kumar, along with leading scientists and representatives from tribal communities. This landmark initiative not only sets Gujarat apart in biotechnology but also reflects the state's commitment to inclusive development and scientific progress.
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- The Hindu
Gujarat launches India's first tribal genome project to tackle inherited diseases
Gujarat has become the first Indian State to launch a genome sequencing initiative focused exclusively on tribal communities. At a high-level consultation chaired by State Tribal Development Minister Kuber Dindor here, the Tribal Genome Sequencing Project was announced with the aim of identifying genetic health risks and enabling precision healthcare for tribal populations. The initiative will sequence the genomes of 2,000 individuals from tribal communities across 17 districts in the State. The project, titled 'Creation of Reference Genome Database for Tribal Population in Gujarat', is being implemented by the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) and is part of the 2025–26 State budget. Detecting genetic disorders Mr. Dindor said the initiative will focus on early detection and targeted treatment of genetic disorders such as sickle cell anaemia, thalassaemia, and certain hereditary cancers. 'This project will serve as a milestone — bridging the gap between science and tradition — toward a healthier and more prosperous future for our tribal communities,' he said. 'It is not just a scientific initiative, but a focused campaign to bring long-term improvements in tribal health.' The genetic data collected will also be used to identify markers related to natural immunity and support the development of personalised healthcare solutions. The project will incorporate advanced infrastructure for sample collection, sequencing, and interpretation of genetic data, officials said. Experts at the event stressed that the initiative is not limited to scientific research but aims to empower tribal communities through the use of advanced technology and data. The project will involve state-of-the-art facilities for sample collection and genetic analysis.
