Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology

CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology
Abbreviation CSIR-IGIB
Motto Genomics Knowledge Partner
Established 1977
Type Government organization
Purpose To translate concepts developed in basic biological research to commercially viable technologies for health care
Location
  • Sukhdev Vihar, Mathura Road,
    Delhi-110 025.
Director
 Rajesh S. Gokhale
Parent organization
 Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
Website http://www.igib.res.in

CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB) is a scientific research institute devoted primarily to integrated biological research. It is a part of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India.[1]

The institute started off as the Center for Biochemical Technology in 1977 and the primary focus was biochemical research but since the inception of genomics and bioinformatics approaches, the focus shifted to integrative biology. Today, it stands tall among the premiere research institutes in India.

Location

The Institute has two campuses in Delhi. The North Campus is the oldest of the two campuses and is in the campus of Delhi University, on Mall Road opposite to Jubilee Hall. The new campus is in South Delhi, on Mathura Road at Sukhdev Vihar. The new campus was dedicated to the nation by the then Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh.

History

IGIB was established in 1977 as the Center for Biochemical Technology.(CBT). The Functional Genomics Unit was established in 1998 with the focus shifting from chemical to genomics research. The institute was rechristened "Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology" in 2002 and encompassed Computational and Bioinformatics approaches in making a deliberate shift towards Integrative Biological Research.

Overview

IGIB is one of the premier laboratories under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, carrying out important Research & Development activities in various areas of modern biotechnology and biological sciences such as allergy and infectious diseases, molecular pathogenesis and recombinant DNA technology while focusing mainly on Genomics and Bio-informatics. The research activities/projects of the Institute can be classified under the "Discovery Research" and "Collaborative Research".[2] The institute has transformed from an isolated laboratory working in the area of biochemical research to a laboratory dedicated to genomics research.[3] The Institute is also well equipped with Bio safety level 3 (BSL3) Laboratory facility to work with pathogenic microorganisms

Achievements

After the genome sequence of the virus that causes SARS (Severe acute respiratory syndrome) was brought into public domain, in 2003 its scientists discovered three new genes of the virus, using patented computational tools and a gene prediction method called ``Gene Decipher" developed at the IGIB, for gene prediction and functional analysis.[4] In 2004, the institute along with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), after discovering the "genetic mutation" that could possibly make certain people susceptible to schizophrenia, started developing a "schizophrenia screening technique", and was granted a US patent for it,[5]

In 2009, its team decoded the whole genome sequencing of the wild-type zebrafish, with about 1.7 billion genetic alphabets. This made the fish, which is native to the Himalayan region, the first vertebrate to have its whole genome sequenced in India, as previously Indian scientists had only sequenced bacteria and plant genomes.[6][7]

In December 2009, scientists at IGIB decoded human genome for the first time in India.[8][9][10] The Institute also collaborated on decoding the first Sri Lankan [11][12] Genome and Malayasian Genome.[13] The Institute is also a lead member of the Open Personal Genomics Consortium.[14] Researchers in the institute have been pioneering community participation in personal genomics.[15] The Institute has also embarked on an ambitious project to sequence 100 individuals with extreme lifespans as part of the Wellness Genomics Project[16] and also collaborates with the Archon X Prize

Industrial Alliances

IGIB has formed alliances with leading Biotech/Pharmaceutical companies to work jointly in developing cost-effective, indigenous technologies in order to provide improved health-care facilities to the masses. Moreover, it has built on its current research strength to create a distinctive research profile and has also gained international recognition in key research areas in Biological research. The alliances formed by IGIB are not only restricted to research but are also for activities in human resource development and for providing biomedical services etc. This has helped the Institute to position itself as a knowledge provider and improve the frequency levels of its interaction with the Industry. Recognizing the wealth of knowledge vested in the Institute, its research capabilities, several leading companies from Biotech/Pharmaceutical Industry Have come forward to form alliances with the Institute.

Genomics of Rare Genetic Diseases

The institute has initiated a unique programme to use cutting edge genomic technologies to understand Rare genetic diseases in India and pioneering the application of genomics for Precision Medicine in clinics. One of the programmes which has been initiated on this front is Genomics for Understanding Rare Disease, India Alliance Network (GUaRDIAN).[17] GUaRDIAN is a large-scale collaborative network of clinicians from around India trying to use genomics in clinical practice, with the focussed aim to understand genetic structure of rare genetic diseases in India.

The consortium aims at using cutting edge genomics technology to enable identification of genetic variations in diseases and enable clinicians arrive at precise diagnosis for rare genetic disease. Apart from working closely with clinicians, the consortium aims to foster education, awareness and the widespread adoption of genomic technology in clinical settings, in addition to creating and disseminating the highest standards of genomic data generation and interpretation in India.[18]

In the few years, it has been able to work closely with clinicians in the network to be able to offer proof of principles for the application of Genomics for Precision Medicine.[19][20][21] A comprehensive programme for patient referral is also functional.[22]

Extension Centers (Branches)

The main IGIB campus is located at Mall Road, New Delhi near Delhi University North Campus. IGIB's alliance with the Biotech/Pharmaceuticals has led to its growth and setting up of two extension centers - one at South Delhi (IGIB Annex at TCGA, Okhla) and the other at Western Delhi at Naraina.

International Meetings

IGIB was a co-host of the prestigious Human Genome Organization (HUGO) meet HGM-2008 (13th Human Genome Meeting, Sat 27-Tue 30 Sep 2008), held at Hyderabad International Convention Centre, Hyderabad, India,[23] where Prof. S.K.Brahmachari, former Director of IGIB and current Director General of CSIR and DSIR co-chaired the meet with Prof. Edison Liu, HUGO president.

References

  1. ↑ Council of Scientific and Industrial Research India Website.
  2. ↑ IGIB Research Areas.
  3. ↑ http://igib.res.in/igib.growth.pdf
  4. ↑ Indians find SARS virus genes The Hindu, December 30, 2003.
  5. ↑ Medical breakthrough by Indian scientists By Bindu Shajan Perappadan, The Hindu, December 28, 2004.
  6. ↑ Zebrafish Genome Webpage 'Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology' (IGIB)
  7. ↑ Decoding the Genome Mystery Indian Express, July 5, 2009.
  8. ↑ Indian Scientists decode human genome Indian Express, December 10, 2009
  9. ↑
    • Patowary; et al. (2012). "Systematic analysis and functional annotation of variations in the genome of an Indian individual.". Human Mutation 33 (7): 1133–40. doi:10.1002/humu.22091. PMID 22461382.
  10. ↑ Compilation of news articles and Press releases on Indian Genome, December 10, 2009
  11. ↑ Sri Lankan Genome
  12. ↑ Dissanayake; et al. (2012). "The Sri Lankan Personal Genome Project: an overview.". Sri Lanka Journal of Biomedical Informatics 1 (2): 4–8.
  13. ↑
  14. ↑ OpenPGx Consortium
  15. ↑ MeraGenome
  16. ↑ Wellness Genomics Project
  17. ↑ Genomics for Understanding Rare Diseases India Alliance Network (GUaRDIAN)
  18. ↑ Exome Sequencing Analysis and Interpretation page on GUaRDIAN
  19. ↑ Gupta; et al. (2015). "Whole-exome sequencing solves diagnostic dilemma in a rare case of sporadic acrokeratosis verruciformis.". Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.
  20. ↑ Gupta; et al. (2015). "Whole exome sequencing helps in accurate molecular diagnosis in siblings with a rare co-occurrence of paternally inherited 22q12 duplication and autosomal recessive non-syndromic ichthyosis.". F1000 Research.
  21. ↑ Vellarikkal; et al. (2014). "Exome sequencing reveals a novel mutation, p.L325H, in the KRT5 gene associated with autosomal dominant Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex Koebner type in a large family from western India.". Human Genome Variation. 1 (1): 14007.
  22. ↑ Patient Referral Page Genomics for Understanding Rare Diseases India Alliance Network (GUaRDIAN)
  23. ↑ HGM-2008 website.

External links

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