On January 9, 2025, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) known as for proposals on ‘Translational research using genomeIndia data’ from scientists based mostly in India. On February 20, eight days earlier than the February 28 deadline for submitting proposals, DBT prolonged the deadline until March 31, 2025.
The 10,000 human genome venture had collected blood samples and related phenotype data from over 20,000 people representing 83 inhabitants teams — 30 tribal and 53 non-tribal populations — unfold throughout India. Of the 20,000 people, preliminary findings based mostly on the genetic data of 9,772 people had been printed in the journal Nature Genetics as a Comment on April 8.
The Comment article clearly listed the phenotype data collected from over 20,000 folks, together with peak, weight, hip circumference, waist circumference and blood strain. From blood samples collected, full blood counts in addition to biochemistry data resembling glucose measurements, lipid profiles, and liver and kidney perform checks had been measured and can be found together with genome data of 9,772 people. Surprisingly, neither the primary proposal call nor the addendum extending the deadline for submitting the proposals listed what phenotype data had been obtainable to researchers. Even the GenomeIndia web site doesn’t have that data. The first time that data turned public was when the Comment article was printed on April 8. But the deadline for submitting the proposals was March 31.
“The anthropometric and blood biochemistry data were only collected to ensure that the samples covered under the GenomeIndia project were from healthy individuals,” says a DBT spokesperson in an electronic mail to The Hindu.
“The GenomeIndia project has not published a data dictionary nor released detailed information on the available phenotype metadata of the genotyped samples in the project. A Commentary in the Nature Genetics journal has been the first and only public communication about the details of phenotype metadata in the project, till date. Even before the publication of this article, DBT has completed a proposal inviting researchers for utilising the GenomeIndia data,” says Dr. Padmanaban V, Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at CMC Vellore.
Incidentally, the addendum printed on February 20 extending the deadline to March 31 famous that DBT had “received many queries regarding the type of data that will be released”. Despite saying “relevant phenotype data (as per request)” might be offered below Controlled (Managed) Access, what phenotype data that had been obtainable was not offered. “Despite admitting that there have been many queries related to the data, there still wasn’t any information on the list of available phenotypes that researchers can request even in this document,” says Dr. Padmanaban.
Also, the Comment piece printed in the journal, which is the one place the phenotype data is collected and obtainable, was talked about, is behind a paywall, thus proscribing some researchers from studying it. The spokesperson factors out that the One Nation One Subscription scheme will present entry to analysis articles and journal publications to college students, college and researchers. However, the One Nation One Subscription scheme presently offers free entry to journal papers to researchers and college students solely from public establishments.
While researchers from 20 establishments concerned in the GenomeIndia venture would pay attention to the phenotype data obtainable, others could be unaware of it. “Researchers who were not part of the GenomeIndia project team did not have information on the available phenotype metadata,” says Dr. Padmanaban. “Not only GenomeIndia data but any biological data available at IBDC can be accessed by researchers as per provisions in Biotech PRIDE Guidelines and FeED Protocols, which are in harmony with practices followed by international databases,” the spokesperson says.
Published – April 27, 2025 05:00 am IST
