PHENOME INDIA PROJECT

Source: PIB

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Context

• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) announced the successful conclusion of the first phase of its groundbreaking longitudinal health monitoring project, the 'Phenome India-CSIR Health Cohort Knowledgebase' (PI-CheCK).
• To mark this significant milestone, CSIR organized a special event, 'Phenome India Unboxing 1.0', at the National Institute of Oceanography.

Details

Introduction to Phenome India Project

• Launch Date: 7th December 2023

Objectives of the Phenome India Project

• Main Goal: Develop India-specific risk prediction models for cardio-metabolic diseases.
  • Focus Diseases: Diabetes, liver diseases, and cardiac diseases.
• Significance:
  • Pan-India Scope: First-ever nationwide longitudinal health monitoring study on cardio-metabolic diseases.
  • Target Population: Study the Indian population to understand the risk and incidence of cardio-metabolic disorders, considering ethnic diversity and varied lifestyle patterns.
  • Precision Medicine Initiative: Promote Predictive, Personalized, Participatory, and Preventive (P4) healthcare tailored to Indian phenotypic and genetic profiles.

Study Participants

• Sample Size: Nearly 10,000 participants.
• Demographics: Includes CSIR employees, pensioners, and their spouses.
• Geographic Coverage: Participants from 17 states and 24 cities across India.

Data Collection

• Types of Data Collected:
  • Clinical Questionnaires: Detailed health and medical history.
  • Lifestyle and Dietary Habits: Information on daily routines, food intake, and physical activity.
  • Anthropometric Measurements: Data on body measurements such as height, weight, BMI.
  • Imaging/Scanning Data: Advanced diagnostic imaging for detailed health assessments.
  • Biochemical and Molecular Data: Extensive data on biochemical markers and molecular profiles.

Importance of the Study

• Health Insights: Provides critical data for understanding cardio-metabolic disorders specific to the Indian population.
• Comparison with Western Populations: Highlights differences due to ethnic diversity and lifestyle variations, crucial for accurate risk prediction models.

Precision Medicine and P4 Healthcare

• Predictive Healthcare: Anticipating disease risk based on phenotypic and genetic data.
• Personalized Healthcare: Tailoring treatment plans to individual genetic profiles.
• Participatory Healthcare: Involving individuals in their health management.
• Preventive Healthcare: Implementing strategies to prevent diseases before they develop.

About the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

• Established: September 1942
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Funding: Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India
• Autonomous Status: Operates under the Societies Registration Act, 1860

CSIR's Objectives and Organizational Structure

• Focus Areas:
  • Scientific Research and Development: Fields include aerospace, biology, chemistry, earth sciences, engineering, and medical sciences.
• Organizational Structure:
  • President: Prime Minister of India (Ex-officio)
  • Vice President: Union Minister of Science and Technology (Ex-officio)
  • Governing Body: Led by the Director-General; includes the finance secretary (expenditures) as an ex-officio member.
  • Term Duration: Members serve for three years.
• CSIR Advisory Board:
  • Composition: 15-member body of prominent experts from various scientific and technological fields.
  • Role: Provide insights and guidance to the governing body.
  • Member Terms: Also span three years.

About the Phenome

• The phenome encompasses the complete set of phenotypes expressed by an organism, including its physical traits, biochemical properties, and behavioral characteristics.
• Importance: Phenotypic data is critical for understanding the relationship between genes and traits, environmental interactions, and the basis of diseases.

Components of the Phenome

• Physical Traits: Observable characteristics like height, weight, and skin color.
• Biochemical Properties: Enzyme levels, metabolites, and other molecular phenotypes.
• Behavioral Characteristics: Actions and responses, such as feeding habits and social behaviors.

Relationship with the Genome

• Genotype vs. Phenotype: The genotype refers to the genetic makeup, while the phenotype is the expression of these genes influenced by environmental factors.
• Gene-Environment Interaction: Phenotypic traits result from the interplay between genetic instructions and environmental influences.

Applications of Phenomic Data

• Agriculture: Improving crop yield and resistance by understanding plant phenotypes.
• Medicine: Identifying phenotypic markers for diseases, understanding disease mechanisms, and personalizing treatments.
• Evolutionary Biology: Studying how phenotypes evolve in response to genetic changes and environmental pressures.
• Ecology: Understanding how organisms interact with their environment and adapt to changes.

Sources:

PIB

PRACTICE QUESTION Q.  The Phenome India project, initiated by CSIR, represents a significant step in understanding and addressing cardio-metabolic diseases within the Indian population. Examine. (250 Words)