Department of Biotechnology and Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council introduces 'One Day One Genome' initiative | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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Department of Biotechnology and Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council introduces 'One Day One Genome' initiative

Posted 19 Nov 2024

Updated 20 Nov 2024

2 min read

Initiative aims to publicly release a fully annotated bacteriological genome, enhancing scientific knowledge, driving innovation, and making microbial genomics data accessible to researchers and the community.

About Genome and Genome Sequencing

  • Genome: Complete set of genetic material (deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA/ ribonucleic acid or RNA) containing an organism's entire hereditary information, composed of unique nucleotide base sequences
  • Genomic Sequencing: The process of determining the precise order of nucleotide bases (adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T) in DNA; A, C, G, uracil (U) in RNA) within an organism's genetic material.

Applications of Genome Sequencing (GS)

  • Disease detection: To evaluate rare disorders, preconditions for disorders. E.g., Cystic fibrosis and thalassemia.
  • Pharmacogenomics: Involves evaluating effectiveness & safety of drugs on the basis of information from an individual's GS.
  • Metagenomic Sequencing: Explores collective genomes of multiple species in an environmental niche, enabling rapid species identification and environmental impact analysis.
  • Agriculture: Identify genetic markers for disease resistance and drought tolerance in various crop plants; reduced time to develop new varieties of crop plants; decipher the host-pathogen relationships in crops.
  • Microbial Sequencing: It enables advanced biofuel development, innovative diagnostic tools, improved vaccines, and sophisticated environmental cleanup techniques.

Significance of Microbes

  • Environmental: Role in biogeochemical cycles, soil formation, etc.  E.g., Algae- make food using sunlight and give off oxygen into the air.
  • Human body: Essential for our digestion, immunity and even mental health.
  • Household Products: Development of flavors, foods and beverages. E.g. Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) are used in food fermentation.
  • Industrial: Baker’s yeast is used for bread & drinks like beer from cereals and fruit.
  • Others: Biofuel production by yeast; Sewage Treatment; etc

 

  • Tags :
  • Genome Sequencing
  • Microbes
  • One Day One Genome’ initiative
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