No phenotype data details in GenomeIndia's proposal call
The 10,000 human genome project had collected blood samples and associated phenotype data from over 20,000 individuals representing 83 population groups — 30 tribal and 53 non-tribal populations — spread across India. Of the 20,000 individuals, preliminary findings based on the genetic information of 9,772 individuals were published in the journal Nature Genetics as a Comment on April 8.
The Comment article clearly listed the phenotype data collected from over 20,000 people, including height, weight, hip circumference, waist circumference and blood pressure. From blood samples collected, complete blood counts as well as biochemistry data such as glucose measurements, lipid profiles, and liver and kidney function tests were measured and are available along with genome data of 9,772 individuals. Surprisingly, neither the first proposal call nor the addendum extending the deadline for submitting the proposals listed what phenotype data were available to researchers. Even the GenomeIndia website does not have that information. The first time that information became public was when the Comment article was published on April 8. But the deadline for submitting the proposals was March 31.
'The anthropometric and blood biochemistry data were only collected to ensure that the samples covered under the GenomeIndia project were from healthy individuals,' says a DBT spokesperson in an email to The Hindu.
'The GenomeIndia project has not published a data dictionary nor released detailed information on the available phenotype metadata of the genotyped samples in the project. A Commentary in the Nature Genetics journal has been the first and only public communication about the details of phenotype metadata in the project, till date. Even before the publication of this article, DBT has completed a proposal inviting researchers for utilising the GenomeIndia data,' says Dr. Padmanaban V, Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at CMC Vellore.
Incidentally, the addendum published on February 20 extending the deadline to March 31 noted that DBT had 'received many queries regarding the type of data that will be released'. Despite saying 'relevant phenotype data (as per request)' will be provided under Controlled (Managed) Access, what phenotype data that were available was not provided. 'Despite admitting that there have been many queries related to the data, there still wasn't any information on the list of available phenotypes that researchers can request even in this document,' says Dr. Padmanaban.
Also, the Comment piece published in the journal, which is the only place the phenotype data is collected and available, was mentioned, is behind a paywall, thus restricting some researchers from reading it. The spokesperson points out that the One Nation One Subscription scheme will provide access to research articles and journal publications to students, faculty and researchers. However, the One Nation One Subscription scheme currently provides free access to journal papers to researchers and students only from public institutions.
While researchers from 20 institutions involved in the GenomeIndia project would be aware of the phenotype data available, others would be unaware of it. 'Researchers who were not part of the GenomeIndia project team did not have information on the available phenotype metadata,' says Dr. Padmanaban. 'Not only GenomeIndia data but any biological data available at IBDC can be accessed by researchers as per provisions in Biotech PRIDE Guidelines and FeED Protocols, which are in harmony with practices followed by international databases,' the spokesperson says.
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News18
31-07-2025
- News18
ITBP-DBT forge partnership to address challenges faced by border guarding troops
Agency: PTI New Delhi, Jul 31 (PTI) The ITBP, responsible for guarding the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, has signed an agreement with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) to find scientific solutions for the health and environmental challenges faced by troops at high-altitude locations. As part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the experts from the two sides will work to tackle issues like high-altitude sickness, low oxygen (hypoxia) and extreme cold conditions, an official statement said. They will also find ways to bring diagnostic tools and telemedicine to remote border posts and do research work to improve diet, stress relief methods and genetic studies for better adaptation to harsh climates, an Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) spokesperson said. The agreement was signed by the officials from the two sides in the presence of DBT Secretary Rajesh S Gokhale and ITBP Director General Rahul Rasgotra, he said. The DBT functions under the Ministry of Science and Technology. The MoU also aims to hold regular interactions between DBT scientists and ITBP medical teams to stay updated with the latest innovations, the spokesperson said. He said development of special nutrition packs, emergency medical kits and cold-weather health gear for the troops is also a subject of work as part of this partnership. The ITBP's nearly 90,000 personnel are primarily tasked with guarding the 3,488-km-long LAC, apart from rendering a variety of duties in the internal security domain of the country under the Union home ministry. PTI NES DIV DIV (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 31, 2025, 20:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
31-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
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New Delhi: The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has tied up with the ministry of science and technology's department of biotechnology (DBT) in a bid to solve health and environmental challenges faced by ITBP personnel posted along the Indo-China border. Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), with a strength of around 103,622, has over 157 border posts along the Indo-China frontier in altitudes ranging from 9,000 feet to 18,700 feet. (Representative photo) The highest border outpost of the ITBP is Dorji La, located at a height of 18,750 feet (Mount Everest is 29,032 feet) in Sikkim. 'This collaboration aims to use modern biotechnology to solve the unique health and environmental challenges faced by ITBP personnel serving in some of the world's toughest and coldest border areas,' an ITBP spokesperson said. The areas that will be focused on include better health care for jawans, tackling problems like high-altitude sickness, low oxygen (hypoxia), and extreme cold conditions, and advanced medical support – bringing diagnostic tools and telemedicine to remote border posts. 'The focus is also on nutritional and stress solutions by conducting research on improved diets, stress relief methods, and genetic studies for better adaptation to harsh climates,' the spokesperson said. The two agencies will conduct joint research on special nutrition packs, emergency medical kits, and cold-weather health gear. 'They will also conduct joint studies on the effect of high altitudes, while finding tailor-made solutions for the personnel. This partnership marks a big leap towards ensuring that our brave jawans get the best possible support while guarding the nation's borders under the most challenging conditions,' the spokesperson added. ITBP, with a strength of around 103,622, has over 157 border posts along the Indo-China frontier in altitudes ranging from 9,000 feet to 18,700 feet. The force has also been tasked with the security of the cave shrine as part of the Amarnath Yatra security arrangements.
