Why in news?
In July 2025 the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) inaugurated the Phenome India national biobank at the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) in New Delhi. It is India’s first large‑scale facility to systematically collect biological samples and health data for research and personalised medicine.
What is a biobank?
- A biobank stores biological materials—such as blood, saliva, DNA and tissue samples—along with associated health information. Researchers use these resources to study genetic variation, disease susceptibility and drug responses.
- Many countries maintain national biobanks to support precision medicine and population‑wide studies. Examples include the UK Biobank and the U.S. All of Us Research Program.
Key features of Phenome India
- Diverse cohort: The biobank aims to collect samples from around 10,000 adults representing India’s diverse ethnicities, languages, diets and lifestyles. Participants provide consent and detailed health questionnaires.
- Clinical linkage: Each sample is linked to clinical records, such as blood pressure, glucose levels and disease history, enabling researchers to correlate genetic variants with health outcomes.
- Longitudinal follow‑up: Participants will be re‑contacted periodically to update health information, allowing studies on how genetics and environment interact over time.
- Secure data handling: Strict anonymisation and data‑protection protocols safeguard participants’ privacy. Access is granted to researchers through regulated processes.
Importance for India
- Personalised medicine: Genetic data from a representative Indian population will inform the development of tailored diagnostics, drugs and preventive strategies. For example, gene‑editing therapies such as CRISPR require knowledge of common genetic variants to design safe and effective treatments.
- Disease research: India has high burdens of diabetes, heart disease and cancers. Understanding genetic predisposition and environmental triggers can improve early detection and management.
- Diversity gap: Global genomic databases are skewed toward European ancestry. Phenome India will help correct this imbalance and ensure that discoveries benefit Indians.
- Ethical leadership: By emphasising informed consent and community engagement, the project sets standards for ethical biobanking in the Global South.