Biotech PRIDE
Recently, the ‘Department of Biotechnology’ of the Ministry of Science and Technology has issued guidelines for Biotech PRIDE (Biotech Promotion of Research and Innovation through Data Exchange).
Along with this a website of Indian biological data center (IBDC) was also launched.
Biotech-PRIDE Directions:
- These guidelines by the Department of Biotechnology envisage linking of other existing biological datasets or data centers with the IBDC, which will be called Bio-Grid.
- This bio-grid will be a national repository for biological knowledge, information and data. In addition – Bio Grid will be responsible for enabling its exchange, developing security standards and quality measures for datasets and establishing detailed guidelines to ensure access to the data.
- These guidelines will be implemented by the ‘Biological Data Center of India’. India is currently ranked fourth among the top 20 collaborating biological databases.
Need and benefits of Bio-grid:
- With a population of over 135 crores and the complex nature of the country, India needs its own unique database for Indian research and solutions.
- This indigenous database will have a vast enabling mechanism for young scientists and researchers to exchange and implement data for the benefit of Indian citizens.
- Sharing a wide range of data on a large scale is helpful in advancing the understanding of molecular and biological processes.
- It will support human health, agriculture, animal husbandry, basic research and thus extend to social benefits as well.
- Reduction in DNA sequencing costs, along with advances in DNA sequencing and other high-throughput technologies, have enabled government agencies to fund research in various areas of the biosciences for the generation of large amounts of biological data.
Important Schemes and Policies related to Biotech:
- Biotech-Farmer Program
- Atal Jai Anusandhan Biotech Mission – Undertaking Nationally Relevant Technology Innovation (UNaTI).
- DNA Technology Bill, 2019
- Genome India Project
Source – The Hindu
