<p>Bengaluru: The focus of biobanks in India should be on the younger population, unlike the United Kingdom where biobanks primarily target people aged 40-70, said Prof BK Thelma, National Science Chair at the University of Delhi, on Monday.</p>.<p>Thelma was speaking at the 49th annual meeting and international conclave on neurogenetics, organised by the Indian Society of Human Genetics (ISHG) at Nimhans.</p>.<p>She explained that the delay in sharing biobank data in India is not only due to the late establishment of biobanks, but also due to challenges such as inadequate funding and ongoing debates about narrowing down their objectives.</p>.<p>A biobank is a repository for biological or medical data and tissue samples from humans.</p>.<p>Thelma said India must first determine how sharing this data will serve broader research goals before moving forward.</p>.<p>VK Paul, Member of NITI Aayog, announced the availability of life-saving drugs for thalassemia, Gaucher’s disease, Wilson’s disease, and sickle cell disease in children, noting that over 40 million people have been screened for sickle cell anemia.</p>.<p>“India’s genetic research is driving innovation, positioning us as global leaders,” Paul said.</p>.<p>Giriraj Chandak, Sir JC Bose Fellow at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, highlighted the gap between clinicians and geneticists in academic research. He stressed that phenotyping, which involves studying observable characteristics resulting from genetic interactions, plays a critical role in genomic studies. He called for greater collaboration between clinicians and geneticists.</p>.<p>The conclave also featured panels discussing topics ranging from neurogenetics and aging to neurodegeneration, brain disorders, trauma, and precision medicine. The event will conclude on January 23.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: The focus of biobanks in India should be on the younger population, unlike the United Kingdom where biobanks primarily target people aged 40-70, said Prof BK Thelma, National Science Chair at the University of Delhi, on Monday.</p>.<p>Thelma was speaking at the 49th annual meeting and international conclave on neurogenetics, organised by the Indian Society of Human Genetics (ISHG) at Nimhans.</p>.<p>She explained that the delay in sharing biobank data in India is not only due to the late establishment of biobanks, but also due to challenges such as inadequate funding and ongoing debates about narrowing down their objectives.</p>.<p>A biobank is a repository for biological or medical data and tissue samples from humans.</p>.<p>Thelma said India must first determine how sharing this data will serve broader research goals before moving forward.</p>.<p>VK Paul, Member of NITI Aayog, announced the availability of life-saving drugs for thalassemia, Gaucher’s disease, Wilson’s disease, and sickle cell disease in children, noting that over 40 million people have been screened for sickle cell anemia.</p>.<p>“India’s genetic research is driving innovation, positioning us as global leaders,” Paul said.</p>.<p>Giriraj Chandak, Sir JC Bose Fellow at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, highlighted the gap between clinicians and geneticists in academic research. He stressed that phenotyping, which involves studying observable characteristics resulting from genetic interactions, plays a critical role in genomic studies. He called for greater collaboration between clinicians and geneticists.</p>.<p>The conclave also featured panels discussing topics ranging from neurogenetics and aging to neurodegeneration, brain disorders, trauma, and precision medicine. The event will conclude on January 23.</p>
