Source: Yourgenome

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) have introduced the ‘One Day One Genome’ initiative to explore and highlight India’s unique microbial diversity.

What Is the ‘One Day One Genome’ Initiative?

This initiative focuses on identifying and studying unique bacterial species found in India. It emphasizes how microorganisms are essential for the environment, agriculture, and human health.

How Will This Initiative Help?

A fully annotated bacterial genome will be made available to the public. Detailed summaries and infographics will make the information accessible to everyone.

This knowledge will help improve:

Environmental management.

Agricultural productivity.

Human health.

Who Is Leading the Initiative?

The project is coordinated by BRIC-NIBMG (National Institute of Biomedical Genomics), an institute under the Department of Biotechnology.

Impact

The initiative makes microbial genome data accessible to researchers, students and the public. It promotes scientific discussions and innovations that can benefit the entire ecosystem. This initiative is a step towards unlocking the immense potential of microbes for the betterment of society and the planet.

Why Are Microorganisms Important?

For the Environment:

They help in soil formation and cleaning pollutants.

Play a role in recycling nutrients and breaking down organic waste.

Maintain the natural balance (homeostasis) on Earth.

For Agriculture:

Aid in nitrogen fixation, nutrient cycling and maintaining soil fertility.

Help plants absorb water and nutrients by forming a partnership (symbiosis).

Control pests and weeds reducing the need for chemical pesticides.

For Human Health:

The human body has more microbial cells than human cells.

They are vital for digestion, immunity and even mental health.

While some microbes cause diseases others protect us from harmful pathogens.

Role of Genome Sequencing

Genome sequencing helps scientists discover the hidden abilities of microbes.

It can reveal:

Important enzymes.

Antimicrobial resistance.

Useful bioactive compounds.

About Genome

A genome is an organism’s complete set of genetic instructions. Each genome contains all of the information needed to build that organism and allow it to grow and develop.

Organisms are made up of millions of cells  and each with their own complete set of instructions for building and sustaining that living thing. This set of instructions is known as our genome and is made up of DNA. Each cell in an organism, for example, a skin cell or a liver cell, contains this same set of instructions.

Within DNA is a unique chemical code that guides an organism’s growth, development and health. This code is determined by the order of the four nucleotide bases that make up DNA, adenine, thymine, cytosine and guanine.

DNA has a twisted structure in the shape of a double helix. Single strands of DNA are coiled up into structures called chromosomes. In animals, chromosomes are located in the nucleus within each cell.

Within chromosomes, sections of DNA are organised into genes. Genes control different characteristics such as eye colour and height. All living things have a unique genome. 

The human genome is made of 3.2 billion bases of DNA but other organisms have different genome sizes.

About Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC)

BRIC is a society tasked with implementing and giving effect to the cabinet approval accorded to the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) for the creation of one autonomous body subsuming 14 of its autonomous institutes.

The objectives of BRIC are diverse and aimed at promoting cutting-edge research in biotechnology aligned with national priorities, fostering innovation and translation across institutional boundaries and developing indigenous technologies and capabilities in line with the principles of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

BRIC aims to provide a centralized and unified governance mechanism for the administration of its research institutions through intra-mural core grants.

It emphasizes multi-disciplinary research support from basic discovery to application in areas of strength within the DBT institutions.

About NIBMG

National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG) is a national level research institute for genomic medicine in India. It is located at Kalyani, West Bengal.

It has been established as an autonomous institution under the Department of Biotechnology. This is the first institution in India explicitly devoted to research, training, translation, service and capacity-building in biomedical genomics.

Microbes and Their Importance

Category	Role of Microbes	Examples
Environment	Help in nutrient recycling (biogeochemical cycles).	Nitrosomonas (Nitrogen cycle)
	Aid in soil formation and fertility.	Actinomycetes (soil fertility)
	Decompose organic waste and clean toxic pollutants.	Pseudomonas (pollutant degradation)
	Contribute to methane production.	Methanogens (methane production)
Agriculture	Fix nitrogen for plants, enhancing soil fertility.	Rhizobium (nitrogen fixation)
	Support plants by helping absorb water and nutrients through symbiotic associations.	Mycorrhizal fungi (plant symbiosis)
	Control pests and weeds naturally.	Bacillus thuringiensis (biopesticide)
	Help plants respond to stress (drought, salinity, etc.).	Azospirillum (stress tolerance in plants)
Human Health	Assist in digestion by breaking down complex food molecules.	Lactobacillus (gut health)
	Strengthen the immune system.	Bifidobacterium (immunity)
	Influence mental health by producing neurotransmitters.	Gut microbiota (overall mental health)
	Protect against infectious diseases by competing with harmful microbes.	Non-pathogenic E. coli (competitive exclusion)
Industrial Uses	Produce bioactive compounds like enzymes, antibiotics, and vitamins.	Penicillium (penicillin production)
	Help in fermentation to create products like bread, yogurt, and alcohol.	Saccharomyces cerevisiae (bread, alcohol)
	Aid in bioremediation to clean up oil spills and other contaminants.	Alcanivorax (oil spill degradation)
	Used in biotechnology for developing vaccines and drugs.	Streptomyces (antibiotics)

Sources: PIB 

PRACTICE QUESTION Q.India is rich in microbial diversity. How can initiatives like ‘One Day One Genome’ help harness this diversity for sustainable development? Illustrate your answer with relevant applications. (250 Words)