Gujarat Launches India’s First Tribal Genome Sequencing Project
Gujarat Launches India’s First Tribal Genome Sequencing Project
Last Updated Jul - 17 - 2025, 05:39 PM | Source : Fela News
Gujarat becomes the first Indian state to initiate a genome sequencing project focused on tribal communities, aiming to detect genetic disorders and enable prec
Gujarat Launches India’s First Tribal Genome Sequencing Project
Gujarat has become the first Indian state to launch a genome sequencing initiative dedicated specifically to its tribal communities. The Tribal Genome Sequencing Project was unveiled during a high-level meeting chaired by State Tribal Development Minister Kuber Dindor. The initiative aims to identify genetic health risks and promote precision medicine by sequencing the genomes of 2,000 tribal individuals from 17 districts.
Titled Creation of Reference Genome Database for Tribal Population in Gujarat, the project is being led by the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) and has been allocated funds under the 2025–26 state budget.
Highlighting its significance, Minister Dindor stated that the initiative will focus on the early diagnosis and targeted treatment of inherited conditions such as sickle cell anaemia, thalassaemia, and some hereditary cancers. He described the project as a key step toward integrating scientific progress with traditional communities to build a healthier, more resilient tribal population.
Besides identifying genetic disorders, the collected data will help uncover markers linked to natural immunity, paving the way for personalized healthcare strategies. Officials noted that cutting-edge infrastructure will be employed for sample collection, genome sequencing, and data analysis.
Experts emphasized that this project goes beyond pure research — it seeks to empower tribal communities by leveraging modern genomic technologies and data-driven health solutions.
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