Two of the top premier scientific research institutes in the city – Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) – have decided to join forces to develop newer diagnostic methods and engage in scientific research to improve the understanding of human genetic disorders.
The CCMB and CDFD are involved in cutting-edge biological research in these areas and for more than two decades, they have been offering genetic diagnostic services as well. The institutes have also mutually agreed to undertake training and educational activities in the field of genetic diagnostics.Both the institutes entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday with CCMB Director Rakesh K. Mishra and CDFD Director Debasish Mitra signing on behalf of their respective organisations. They said their efforts were to maximise the potential of both the institutes in human disease diagnostics. Among the objectives of the MoU is to provide quality DNA-based diagnostic services to the public at lower rate. While humans have been battling with diseases since time immemorial, genetic disorders form a major group of non-communicable diseases.
Estimates for genetic disorders show that more than 50 lakh infants are born each year with genetic disease in India itself and this has its effects on the economic and social structure of the society, they said. “While most of these disorders are presently untreatable, for those those can be treated, the treatment is very expensive. The only option to address this problem is the preventive approach which requires prenatal diagnosis and genetic counselling,” said Dr. Mishra.
There have been tremendous changes in the field of genetics with rapid advancements in technology, he said. The advent of efficient and affordable DNA sequencing technology has a direct impact on improving our understanding of human disease to enable better ways of diagnosis and treatment, explained Dr. Mitra.