India has established its first diabetes-specific biobank in Chennai, a collaboration between the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF). 

About Biobank

• A biobank is a facility that stores biological samples ( blood, urine, tissue, and saliva)  usually from humans, for use in medical research. 
• It plays a significant role in advancing research in fields like genomics and personalized medicine.
• Biobanks in India
  • There are 19 registered biobanks.
    • It hosts too many biological specimens, including cancer cell lines and tissues.
  • Key Initiatives
    • Genome India Programme:  it aims to  identify treatments for rare genetic diseases
    • Phenome India Project: Focused on creating better prediction models for cardio-metabolic diseases.
    • Paediatric Rare Genetic Disorders (PRaGeD) Mission: This mission works towards identifying new genes or genetic variants to develop targeted therapies for rare genetic diseases affecting children.

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Key Features of Biobanks

• Help identify disease biomarkers, such as single-nucleotide polymorphisms linked to specific diseases.
• Provide critical resources for developing personalized treatments and understanding disease mechanisms.
• Promote collaborative research by enabling data-sharing across multiple studies.

Why Is the Biobank Important?

• Addressing a Growing Health Concern:
  • India has over 10 crore diabetes cases and 13.6 crore prediabetes cases, among the highest globally.
    • Enabling Better Understanding:
      • The biobank stores biological samples from across India, helping scientists study the genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors contributing to diabetes.
      • Findings can lead to improved treatments, preventive measures, and targeted therapies.
• Large Collection of Samples:
  • Houses over 1.5 lakh biological samples collected from diverse regions and communities across India.
• Based on Comprehensive Studies:
  • ICMR-INDIAB Study: The largest study on diabetes in India, covering urban and rural populations.
  • ICMR-YDR Study: A national registry focused on young-onset diabetes.

What can India Learn from other Biobanks?

• Biobanks have significantly contributed to medical research worldwide.
  • Example: The UK Biobank, with data from 5 lakh participants, has led to thousands of scientific discoveries.
    • Similar initiatives in the US, China, and Europe focus on key areas like cancer, genetics, and rare diseases.
• India’s first diabetes biobank will serve as a central hub for biological samples to support diabetes research but it should take various measures such as 
  • Ensuring extensive infrastructure and stringent quality control:  To ensure the reliability and sustainability of its biobanks.
  • Public Engagement and Trust: India should involve its diverse population in biobanking efforts through community meetings, focus group discussions, and citizen-expert panels. 
  • Integration with Healthcare Systems:  To facilitate better data collection and research, India should work with electronic health records. 

Challenges in Maintaining Biobanks

• High Costs and Logistics: Maintaining samples requires significant funding, advanced infrastructure, and skilled personnel.
• Ethical Concerns: Issues like informed consent and privacy must be addressed carefully.
• Skilled Personnel: Needs trained professionals for handling and maintaining samples.

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India’s biobanking regulations

• Legal Framework Governing Biobanks in India
  • Lack of Comprehensive Legislation
    • India does not have specific laws for biobanks.
    • Existing guidelines are not enforceable, leading to regulatory gaps.
  • National Ethical Guidelines by ICMR
    • The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) has issued ethical guidelines for biomedical research involving humans.
      • These guidelines are not legally binding and do not fully address long-term storage or data sharing for biobanks.
  • Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Standards
    • The DBT has set practices for data storage and analysis.
      • However, these are not enforceable and do not adequately cover issues like informed consent and privacy.
  • Absence of a Single Regulatory Authority
    • India lacks a dedicated regulatory authority for biobanks.
      • This results in inconsistencies and limited oversight in biobanking activities.