An Autonomous Institute of

Department of Biotechnology

M/o Science & Technology

Govt. of IndiaNew Delhi

The emerging discipline of genomics is fast becoming an integral part of medicine. It has tremendous potential to address health problems in developing countries. Understanding genomic underpinnings of diseases results in early and more precise risk-prediction, that opens up the possibilities of prevention and therapy. India has a multitude of genetically diverse, unadmixed and isolated population groups, large population and family sizes. There have been phenomenal improvements in India within the past decade in the availability of medical technologies for diagnosis and clinical evaluation. These facts make India a fertile ground for gene-hunting, and validation of results from genome-wise association and linkage studies obtained elsewhere. Further, India is experiencing an epidemiological transition. Infectious and early childhood diseases are declining and the prevalence of non-communicable diseases is increasing. This phase of transition can be exploited for estimating gene-environment interactions. In addition, large sections of the Indian society are vaccine-nave and drug-nave. This feature is very useful for studying host-immune response to vaccines and pathogens, and for pharmacogenomic studies. Taking cognizance of these, discussions were initiated to undertake a concerted and focused effort in conducting research, translation, capacity-building & service in biomedical genomics through establishment of a dedicated institute. Current research and capacity-building efforts in the country in biomedical genomics are sub-optimal to make genomics based medicine a reality. The grand vision is to provide predictive, preventive, personalized, and therapeutic health care through the use of genomic knowledge.

The establishment of the National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG) was taken up by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, as per the commitment made in the National Biotechnology Development Strategy. A detailed expert consultation process both at national and international levels resulted in convergence of ideas which greatly helped to draw the strategic plan and design the proposal for creation of the Institute appropriately. The Union Cabinet has accorded approval on February 23, 2009, towards establishment of this institute at Kalyani (near Kolkata), District Nadia, West Bengal.

To enhance knowledge on human health & disease through genomics.

Translate the knowledge using appropriate technologies for promotion of well-being and improvement of genetics-based health care.

To create necessary physical infrastructure to serve as the expert base for the principles and practice of biomedical genomics.

To conduct and promote cutting edge research in biomedical genomics for better understanding of public health need

Capacity building in biomedical genomics.

(a) To conduct and promote cutting-edge research in biomedical genomics of current and future medical relevance for the nation.

(b) To provide basic research evidence using biomedical genomic approaches for betterment of public health programmes and services.

(c) To establish state-of-the-art infrastructure for genomic and proteomic analyses, with the explicit goal of improving public health in India through use of genomic knowledge and technologies.

(d) To seed research, education, translation and service networks among clinicians and researchers from different disciplines for promotion of better public health through the establishment of genomics infrastructure in hospitals and medical colleges.

(e) To anchor young talent on the national soil and build capacity in Biomedical Genomics, through organizing specialized Post Graduate courses, specialized training programmes and Ph.D. courses in Medical Biotechnology, Human Genetics, Molecular & Genetic Epidemiology and to facilitate their early participation in research, translation and services for promotion of genetics-based healthcare.

(f) To have academic affiliation with a University / Deemed University or seeking a Deemed University status for award of degrees.

(g) To enable better understanding of new medical biotechnologies to permit faster but more discriminating uptake by health care providers.

1. Research Programmes of the Institute will focus on large-scale genetic epidemiological studies on diseases of relevance to India, which will include mapping genes for diseases and disease-susceptibilities, estimating gene-environment interactions, evaluating mutational spectra, host-pathogen interactions, mechanisms of disease precipitation, etc. Various inter-disciplinary Cores that will comprise advanced technology platforms and skilled manpower will form backbone of the Research Programme, include:i)Clinical Core that will comprise of clinicians responsible for collection of high-quality information on each patient which is crucial so that clinical subgroups of patients can be formed to reduce heterogeneity.ii) BioSpecimen Core for standardizing and streamlining the process of bio-specimen collection, processing and storage will form the bedrock of basic research and facilitate rapid translation process.iii) Clinical Biochemistry & Pathology Core for generating high quality data from research and translational activities. High quality clinical biochemistry and pathological data or known biomarkers of the major diseases are essential for defining clinical sub groups. Faculty of this core will work in close collaboration with accredited pathology laboratories.iv) Genomics Core that will undertake cuttingedge research in genomics as susceptibility to every common and chronic disease is determined by many genetic variants. It is essential to precisely map these genetic variants and chromosomes and to estimate relative risks conferred by each of these variants to the disease under study. This core will also be engaged in identifying candidate genes to be searched for variants and carrying out genotyping of DNA samples, and will work closely with Statistical and Computational Biology Core.v) Proteomics Core that will aim to carry out cuttingedge research in proteomics which can lead to identification of biomarkers. This research can also find alterations in proteins among patients and identification of candidate genes in which a search for variants needs to be mounted.

The Genomics and Proteomics Cores will also provide expert consultations to diagnostic centres and biotech industry in the development and implementation of bio-marker based diagnostics as a potential translational activity of the Institute.vi) Molecular and Cellular Biology Core that will aim to understand of the process of pathogenesis and to identify possible drug targets. It is also important to perform detailed molecular and cellular biology experiments for functional biology studies of relevance to both basic and translational research. In addition, it will also undertake research in frontier areas such as stem cell biology and tissue re-engineering.vii) Statistical & Computational Biology Core that will engage in statistical design of studies undertaken, database design and maintenance, statistical and bio-informatic analyses, and development of new statistical and computational methodologies. It will also perform in-silico screening of molecules from the view point of translation of research findings.

2. Training & Education ProgrammeThe need to impart education in Biomedical Genomics is of paramount importance, both for basic and translational research. The Institute will impart under-graduate and graduate training programmes in the following courses.

Refresher & Special Courses will be conducted for students and faculty members of colleges including medical colleges and Universities which will comprise of different modules. These will be upgraded to certificate and Degree courses over time. The courses could be on design of genetic epidemiological studies, molecular identification of diseases, analysis of case control studies, linkage analysis etc. to be conducted jointly with medical schools/ universities.

Certificate Course in Medical Genetics and Genetic Counselling: The importance of genetic counseling is stellar in medical genetics practice. Concurrently NIBMG will start courses in medical genetics as well as these are complimentary to each other. Genetic counselling is a specialized multi-disciplinary activity and requires knowledge of genetics, modern biology, probability, psychology, ethics, etc. At present clinicians and biologists often provide genetic counseling which is inappropriate from both academic and ethical standpoints. Therefore introduction of the Course is important. The demand for medical geneticists and genetic counsellors in India is bound to increase as DNA based diagnostics and genetic screening will become more popular in future. Certificate Course on Methodology of Clinical Trials: India has become an attractive destination for the conduct of Clinical Trials considering the fact that our population groups are very diverse and vast majority is drug nave; and more importantly on cost considerations. The design and conduct of various phases of clinical trials is a specialized activity, both in terms of statistical and medical content. Further, there are ethical and legal issues associated with the conduct of clinical trials. The demand for expertise in the design and conduct of clinical trials is rapidly increasing in India. The Institute will fill this demand by conducting a certificate course, in collaboration with relevant institutions.

Gifted Student Programmes: Undergraduate and graduate students will be specially nurtured and mentored by the faculty members of NIBMG by integrating them into research projects and training them to meet deadlines and on creation of intellectual property. These programmes will be conducted jointly with relevant and appropriate institutions.

Industry Training Programme: Training programmes in medical biotechnology and genetics will be conducted for relevant biotech industries, including the pharmaceutical industry.

3. Alliances

Recognizing the facts that medical genetics cuts across various disciplines of science, and it is not possible to bring in all the expertise required for cutting-edge research and education in medical genetics, a Star Alliance will be formed to create synergy and symbiosis, as described below. The synergy will arise from the value-addition provided by various partners of NIBMG. It is believed that ultimately these alliances will become so interwoven that NIBMG and its partners will become completely dependent on each other for carrying out their research. Such symbiotic relationships are essential to good science.

Education Alliance: This alliance is required for the success of the educational programmes to be implemented by NIBMG. This alliance will primarily comprise of colleges and universities in eastern and northeastern India. Refresher and Special courses will be conducted for students and faculty members of colleges and universities in a modularized way. These courses will be upgraded to Certificate and Degree Courses over time and will be conducted jointly with relevant institutions.

Clinical Alliance: Since it will not be possible to retain in-house super-speciality clinicians, this Alliance will comprise super-speciality clinicians from other hospitals to provide expert clinical advice.

Bio-specimen Alliance: This Alliance will be formed with all hospitals and district health centres in the epidemiological hinterland of NIBMG.

Molecular Biology Alliance: This Alliance will be formed with relevant departments of the universities and institutions. Alliance will also be forged with service-oriented centres, in order to gain access to certain technologies and expertise that may be unavailable in NIBMG.

Statistical & Computational Biology Alliance: This alliance will be formed with some major for collaboration and also to provide expert advice and guidance.

The Institute will be an autonomous body under the administrative control of the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India. The legal status of the institute will be a society registered under the Societies Act XXI of 1860 and will be governed by the Governing Body. The Finance, Scientific Advisory, Clinical Translation Advisory Group and Building Committees shall be advisory bodies to the Governing Body. Advice on research, education and translation programmes will be provided by a Scientific Advisory Group and a Clinical Translation Advisory Group.

West Bengal offers a diverse epidemiological hinterland and a patient base that extends to the north-eastern region of India. The state has been in the forefront of medical and human genetics research imparts high-quality education and harbours high-end knowledge base. The location of NIBMG at Kalyani, District Nadia, West Bengal to provides requisite environment to perform cutting edge research. The proposed location is within the cluster of hospitals and institutions like Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (IISER) and West Bengal University of Technology (WBUT) in the vicinity. Besides, Kolkata has many renowned institutions and hospitals of relevance for research and education in Biomedical Genetics, which will provide important sources for down stream linkages with the NIBMG. This National Institute will be on a 30-acre campus, comprising academic buildings, laboratories, auditoria, faculty and student housing and guest houses. Map of India

Map of West Bengal

Map of Nadia

Map of Kalyani

The Union Cabinet has been accorded approval. Actions have been initiated for Society registration, constitution of various committees, Staff appointment, interim space, building construction etc.For further details please contact:

Nodal officerEmail: nibmg.dbt.knwbind@gmail.com

National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG)

Kalyani, Nadia

West Bengal

Preamble:

Mission:

Objectives:

Programmes & Activities:

NIBMG

Inter-disciplinary

Cores

Education & Outreach

Statistical & Computational Biology

Genomics

Proteomics

Molecular & Cellular Biology

Clinical Biochemistry & Pathology

Bio-specimen & Clinical

Resource

Population Sciences

Translation & Services

Alliance

With Clinics, Diagnostic Labs, Labs, Pharma and Biotech Industry

Molecular Biology Alliance

With Institutions & Universities;

Biotech service-providers & Industry

Statistical & Computational

Biology Alliance

With Research Institutions, Software

Industry

NIBMG

STAR

ALLIANCE

Synergy and

Symbiosis

Education Alliance

With Colleges, including Medical Colleges, Universities and Institutes

Clinical Alliance

With Hospitals &

District-level

Health Centres

Organization Structure:

ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE

Education Alliances with

Medical Colleges,

Universities & Other

Educational Institutions

Faculty Members

Leaders of Translation

& Service Cores

Leaders of

Research Cores

Associate Director

of Training & Education

Faculty Members

Scientific Advisory

Committee

Clinical Translation

Advisory Committee

Associate Director

of Research

Alliances with

Hospitals,

Diagnostic Labs

Research Alliance

with

Hospitals and

Other Institutions

Director

Associate Director

of Translation Services

Governing Body

Location:

DE

HARANA

EMBED PBrush

NIBMG

Current Status:

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