India is witnessing a growing burden of diabetes, and the need for advanced research has never been greater. In response, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in collaboration with the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF), has established the country’s first diabetes biobank in Chennai. This state-of-the-art biobank aims to store biological samples to help researchers study diabetes, its causes, and its progression.

What is a Diabetes Biobank?

A biobank is a repository where biological samples such as blood, tissues, and DNA are collected, stored, and managed for scientific research. These samples are essential for understanding diseases like Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes.

The new diabetes biobank in Chennai will support advanced studies to identify early diagnosis biomarkers and help develop personalized treatment strategies for diabetes patients in India.

Key Features of India’s First Diabetes Biobank

1. Samples from Large-Scale Studies
   The biobank includes blood samples collected from two major ICMR-funded studies:
   • The ICMR-INDIAB Study (2008–2020): One of India’s largest diabetes studies, covering 1.2 lakh participants across urban and rural areas in all states and Union Territories.
   • The Registry of People with Diabetes in India with Young Age at Onset (ongoing since 2006): A study focusing on youth-onset diabetes, including Type 1 and Type 2 cases.
2. Types of Samples Collected
   The biobank stores samples of different types of diabetes, including:
   • Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)
   • Type 2 Diabetes (T2D)
   • Gestational Diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)
3. Advanced Research Support
   • The biobank will help track the progression of diabetes and related complications.
   • It will facilitate research into identifying novel biomarkers for early diagnosis.
   • Researchers will use the data to design personalized treatments and develop better prevention strategies for diabetes.

Why is This Important for India?

India has the second-highest number of diabetes cases in the world. The ICMR-INDIAB study revealed alarming statistics:

• 10.1 crore Indians have diabetes.
• 13.6 crore people have prediabetes (at risk of developing diabetes).
• Hypertension and obesity are also on the rise, increasing the risk of diabetes-related complications.

Additionally, the study found:

• Less than 10% of Indians engage in regular physical activity.
• Only 43.2% of the population is aware of diabetes, highlighting the need for large-scale diabetes awareness programs.
• Rural-to-urban migration has been associated with higher risks of diabetes and cardiometabolic issues.

Impact of the Diabetes Biobank

The diabetes biobank in Chennai will:

• Help scientists understand genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors contributing to diabetes in India.
• Support longitudinal studies to monitor how diabetes progresses over time.
• Foster collaborative research efforts that can advance diabetes care in India and globally.

According to Dr. V. Mohan, Chairman of MDRF and Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, the biobank will enable scientists to explore the unique characteristics of the Indian type of diabetes and related disorders.

A Global Comparison: The UK Biobank

India’s new diabetes biobank joins the ranks of global biobanks like the UK Biobank, a vast repository supported by the NHS. The UK Biobank contains genetic, lifestyle, and health data from 5 lakh participants, enabling groundbreaking research in disease prevention and treatment.

India’s biobank aims to achieve similar milestones by leveraging modern technologies for sample storage, preservation, and data management.

The Road Ahead

The establishment of India’s first diabetes biobank marks a turning point in tackling the diabetes epidemic. By supporting advanced research, identifying biomarkers, and enabling personalized treatment plans, the biobank will help improve diabetes management for millions of Indians.

With continued collaboration between researchers, healthcare professionals, and government agencies, this initiative has the potential to transform the future of diabetes research in India.

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