Breakthrough In India's Genetic Prowess: Advancement In Genome India Project

Hello, Everyone!

In an era of technology and innovation, India's Genetic Prowess has upsurged and reached a landmark with the accomplishment of 10,000 genome sequencing under the Genome India Project.

The achievement marks a landmark in deciphering an all-encompassing source archival of genome sequencing featuring the Indian diaspora.

So what is the Genome India Project? The project commenced in the year 2020 by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and ISRO, envisioned to have an insight into genetic divergence for prognostic diagnosis and individualized medicine of India's diverse diaspora.

The project incorporates more than 20 institutions for compiling the genomic specimen and establishing a repository of the genome specimen for conducting exhaustive research regarding advanced health care and the diseases prevailing in India.

India's stride of accomplishment of 10,000 genome sequencing under the Genome India Project witnessed its first landmark in the year 2006 when an entire genome mapping of an individual was done.

Therefore, let's delve into the insights of the concept of genome sequencing. But before that let's understand the fundamentals of primary imperatives for the Genome India project such as the DNA, RNA, gene, and genome of the human cells.

Alright, so let's get this done one by one.

DNA(DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID):-

In a human cell DNA(DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID) is located in the nucleus of a human cell. In simple words, DNA is a molecule possessing genetic instructions regarding the growth and life processes of an organism.

The shape of DNA is of a dual stranded with the two strands coupled around one other similar to a helical structure typically a double helix.

Out of the two strands, each strand has a foundation comprising alternating sugar (deoxyribose) which is a 5-carbon sugar molecule, besides that the foundation comprises phosphate groups.

The four nitrogenous bases are bonded to each sugar namely:

• Adenine(A)

• Cytosine(C)

• Guanine(G)

• Thymine(T)

Also, the two strands are bonded by the chemical bonds between the bases.

DOUBLE HELIX STRUCTURE OF DNA STRAND

The fundamental principle of DNA structure also termed complementary base pairing states that Adenine is always bonded to Thymine (A=T) and Cytosine is always bonded to Guanine(C=G).

The arrangement of these nitrogenous bases adjacent to the DNA framework holds the genetic details including the instructions for protein production or RNA molecule.

RNA(RIBONUCLEIC ACID):

In contrast to the DNA double-stranded structure present in the human cell's nucleus, the RNA (Ribonucleic acid) is a single-stranded molecule and it can be located either in the cell's nucleus or cytoplasm which is a jelly-like substance within a cell that fills up the space between the outer cell membrane and the nucleus where most of the vital cell processes occur; where it does its functions.RNA aids in doing functions as per the instructions present in the DNA i.e. decoding the genetic information into the functional proteins.

SINGLE STRAND RNA STRUCTURE

The building blocks of RNA structure contain the bases :

• Adenine(A)

• Uracil(U)

• Guanine(G)

• Cytosine(C) The RNA is accountable for numerous functions within a cell which are:

• Messenger RNA(mRNA): mRNA acts as a carrier of information out of DNA located in the cell's nucleus to the ribosomes in the cell's cytoplasm, and the proteins are produced.

• Transfer RNA (tRNA): It aids in protein production by transferring the amino acids to the ribosomes, the site where proteins are being manufactured. The amino acids in the ribosomes accumulate as polypeptide chains as per the mRNA information. We can say that amino acids are the fundamental units of proteins. Every amino acid comprises an amino group(-NH2), a Carboxyl group(COOH), and a side chain (R group ) covalently bonded to the central carbon atom. The side chain (R group ) of an amino acid is different for every amino acid and based on the attributes of the side chain such as polar, bipolar, acidic, and basic there are 20 types of amino acids. Amino acids are vital for protein production, the functioning of enzymes as well as neurotransmitter signaling. Each tRNA is unique for a specific amino acid and has an anticodon region having the set of three building blocks of RNA matching completely with the particular set of letters on the m RNA called a codon. This matching phenomenon is vital for protein synthesis as this process aids in convening the requisite building block of a protein called the amino acids to the protein synthesis site called the ribosomes. Therefore, the anticodon region ensures that the requisite amino acids are correctly accumulated into the building protein. Ribosomal RNA(rRNA):rRNA is an important part of ribosomes in a cell, where proteins are synthesized and it aids in triggering the establishment of peptide bonds among amino acids during the decoding of genetic information from mRNA. rRNA ensures that the genetic details encoded in the mRNA are precisely translated in the form of a particular sequence of amino acids, eventually leading to protein development.

GENE:

In every human cell gene refers to a particular segment of DNA(or RNA in a few viruses) holding the vital instructions for synthesizing a functional product which can be a protein or an RNA molecule. This particular segment of DNA is the fundamental entity of genetic predisposition, passing the distinctive features from maternal and paternal figures to their children. These distinctive features are eye pigment, tallness, and the conditions to are prone to specific diseases.

The variations in genes often lead to some disorders or alterations in the distinctive features.

GENOME:

A genome is a complete collaboration of the genetic details of a human encased in a human cell primarily DNA in the majority of organisms or RNA in a few viruses. These genetic details are vital for the growth and life processes of a human being.

The genome is an integration of all genes along with segments of DNA that do not have information about protein synthesis or the RNA molecule, to make proteins and do vital functions by leveraging the encoded information present in our genes, genes also have structural elements that aid in controlling in what manner the genetic details are deciphered and at what instance the details should be deciphered. Along with all genes, non-coded sequences of DNA, structural elements, and genome also have repetitive sequences.

The structural elements are as:

(i)Promotor: Promotor acts like an On button for a gene. It directs the cell from where to start going through the genetic instructions.

(ii)Enhancer: They help in shoring up a gene's functioning and help optimize the functioning of a gene.

(iii)Transcription Start Site: At this site the genetic instructions are cloned or we can say duplicated to form a new RNA molecule.

(iv) Transcription Termination Site: Here the duplication of genetic instructions is completed.

(v)Introns and Extrons: The introns are the non-coded regions are the junk DNA that are excluded and exons are essential parts that are included to process the final product

(vi)Polyadenylation Signal: It conveys the cell to include a string of adenine nucleotides(or we can say Adenine(A) bases), making a polyadenylate (Poly-A) tail 3' to the end of the RNA molecule. This signal helps add a special tag to the end of the RNA molecule to help in its stability and its proper relocation within a cell.

(vii)Regulatory Sequences: These pose as the traffic signals guiding the cell when to speed up or slow down making the gene's product.

Now let's delve into the insights of the concept of genome sequencing.

GENOME SEQUENCING:

Genome sequencing is figuring out the entire set of genetic details within an organism's DNA. It comprises figuring out how the four nucleotide bases

• Adenine(A)

• Cytosine(C)

• Guanine(G)

• Thymine(T)

are arranged or sequenced within a DNA.

An individual genome might consist of approximately 3 billion of these four genetic nucleotide bases but the next-generation sequencing might alone address short fragments at a single time.

It is intriguing that even though the human genetic blueprint incorporates DNA, the viruses might consist of any one of the DNA or RNA. Especially the Coronavirus owns RNA-based genomes.

Every organism holds its specific genetic detaials therefore genomic analysis plays a pivotal role in having genetic insight present in the form of DNA or RNA.

RESULT OF THE GENOME INDIA PROJECT:

We can infer the result of the Genome India Project by emphasizing two factors such as the diverse diaspora and Pathogenic Anomaly.

1. DIVERSE DIASPORA: The multitudes of the Indian diaspora feature 4,600 discrete demographic segments showcasing the substantial variation due to contributors such as endogamy which means marrying within a group.

2. PATHOGENIC ANOMALY: Some of the pathogenic anomalies are higher in specific demographic segments underscoring the relevance of studying India's genetic topography.

FUTURE RAMIFICATIONS OF THE GENOME INDIA PROJECT:

The Genome India Project is a symbol of India's endeavors to comprehend the genetic heterogeneity and medical requisites of the Indian diaspora along with the ability to modify health services and biological research in our country.

The implications of this initiative are:

1. Better Understanding Of The Diverse Diaspora: The purpose of the Genome India Project is to have a better understanding of India's genetic disparity, enabling advanced diagnostic techniques and medical guidance.

2. Individualized Medicine: Deciphering genetic tendencies to diseases and innovating personalized treatments are objectives of this initiative which will improve medical treatments.

3. Foundation Of Biobank: A biobank will be established housing 20,000 blood -specimens stationed at the Centre for Brain Research IISC, enabling endeavors towards genomic sequencing.

4. Data Repository: IBDC(Indian Biological Data Centre )set up by DBT(Department of Biotechnology) at the Regional Centre for Biotechnology(RCB), Faridabad; is India's leading national repository for life science data having a data preservation capacity of four petabytes along with Brahm supercomputers with a data recovery site at National Informatics Centre, Bhubaneshwar. Data Preservation at IBDC highlights the project's pledge for transparency and collaboration. So, with the completion of 10,000 genome sequencing a gateway for advanced healthcare and medical guidance has opened which will help in detecting diseases owing to genetic variation and diseases that are more prevalent in specific demographic segments. Thank You.