India Launches First Diabetes Biobank in Chennai

India’s first diabetes biobank has been established in Chennai, a collaboration between the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF). This biobank, a crucial step in advancing scientific research, will collect, process, store, and distribute biological samples to study diabetes, its causes, variations, and related disorders, contributing to global health research.

Purpose and Importance of the Biobank

The biobank aims to facilitate advanced research into the causes of diabetes, focusing on its unique patterns in India and related health conditions. Dr. V. Mohan, chairman of MDRF, highlighted that the biobank would aid in identifying novel biomarkers for early diagnosis and developing personalized treatment strategies for diabetes. The facility houses blood samples from two major ICMR-funded studies: the ICMR-India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) study and the Registry of Young-Onset Diabetes, which will provide critical data for future research.

Long-term Research Potential

The biobank’s establishment is expected to support longitudinal studies that track diabetes progression and complications, leading to better management and prevention. By fostering collaborative research, the biobank will enhance India’s contribution to the global fight against diabetes. The repository will also help in developing cost-effective, disease-specific biobanks using advanced specimen storage and data-sharing technologies.

Key Studies Stored in the Biobank

ICMR-INDIAB Study: The ICMR-INDIAB study, which covered over 1.2 lakh individuals across 31 states and Union territories, found high rates of diabetes and prediabetes in India. The study revealed the country’s diabetes epidemic, affecting over 10 crore people, with the rising prevalence in less-developed states.

Registry of Young-Onset Diabetes: This study tracks diabetes cases diagnosed at a young age, with over 5,500 participants enrolled from across India. It found that Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are prevalent among youth, highlighting the importance of early intervention.

Summary of the news

Why in News	Key Points
India’s first diabetes biobank set up in Chennai	– Established by ICMR and MDRF. – Aims to support research on diabetes and related health disorders. – Stores samples from the ICMR-INDIAB study and Registry of Young-Onset Diabetes.
ICMR-INDIAB Study	– Conducted from 2008 to 2020 across all states and UTs of India. – Over 1.2 lakh individuals surveyed. – Focused on diabetes and metabolic NCDs in India. – Revealed 10.1 crore individuals diagnosed with diabetes. – 13.6 crore people with prediabetes.
Registry of Young-Onset Diabetes	– Focuses on youth diagnosed with diabetes. – Enrolled 5,546 participants with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. – The average age of diagnosis: 12.9 years for T1D and 21.7 years for T2D.
Diabetes Prevalence	– 10 crore individuals diagnosed with diabetes. – 13.6 crore with prediabetes. – 31.5 crore affected by hypertension. – 21.3 crore had hypercholesterolemia.
MDRF	– Madras Diabetes Research Foundation based in Chennai. – Focuses on diabetes research and health disorders.
ICMR	– Indian Council of Medical Research. – A key organization for public health research in India.
Future Research	– Biobank to support longitudinal studies on diabetes progression and complications. – Aims to develop personalized treatment strategies.
Biobank Role	– Critical for biomedical research: Collecting, storing, and distributing biospecimens. – Will help in identifying biomarkers for early diagnosis and better management.