23-Sep-2019: Government plans to set up a National Genomic Grid

Government has announced its plan to set up a National Genomic Grid, which will study genomic data of cancer patients from India.

The grid to be formed will be in line with the National Cancer Tissue Biobank (NCTB) set up at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. The initiative will be taken forward based on the standard operating procedures set by IIT Madras and guidance from ICMR. The grid will have four parts, with the country divided into east, west, north and south.

Benefits: It will collect samples from cancer patients to study genomic factors influencing cancer and identifying the right treatment modalities for the Indian population. The genomic samples will help researches to have India-specific studies on cancers. NGG will enhance the cancer research to the next level and make treatment viable for people of different economic classes.

The government is planning to set up the National Genomic Grid in the same style with pan-India collection centres by bringing all cancer treatment institutions on board.