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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25th March 2025

Home / UPSC / Current Affairs / Sequencing of 10,000 TB genome samples completed

Sequencing of 10,000 TB genome samples completed

Sequencing of 10,000 TB genome samples completed

Why in News?

Genomic sequencing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis helps understand drug resistance, improve diagnostics, and tailor treatments, playing a crucial role in controlling TB.

Sequencing of 10,000 TB genome samples completed

What is Genomic Sequencing?

  • Genome sequencing is the process of determining the complete DNA sequence of an organism’s genome.
  • The genome is the entire set of genetic material that an organism carries, including all of its genes and other non-coding sequences of DNA.
  • Genome sequencing involves reading the nucleotide bases—adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T)—in the organism’s DNA.

Genomic Sequencing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

  • Genomic sequencing is the process of determining the complete DNA sequence of an organism’s genome. In the case of tuberculosis (TB), sequencing the genome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), the bacterium that causes the disease, provides crucial insights into its genetic makeup, including its mutations, drug resistance patterns, and other unique features.
  • This information is critical for improving diagnosis, treatment, and ultimately controlling TB, particularly in the context of drug-resistant strains.

Types of Genome Sequencing:

  • Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS): This method sequences the entire genome of an organism, providing a comprehensive picture of its genetic makeup. It’s used in research, medical diagnostics, and in understanding the genetic basis of diseases.
  • Exome Sequencing: This focuses only on the exons—the protein-coding regions of the genome. While it doesn’t give a full picture of the entire genome, exome sequencing is cheaper and can still identify mutations associated with various diseases.
  • Targeted Sequencing: In this approach, only specific regions of the genome are sequenced, typically areas that are known to be important for particular conditions or traits.
  • Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS): NGS technologies allow for the high-throughput, parallel sequencing of millions of DNA fragments. NGS has revolutionized genome sequencing due to its speed, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness compared to older methods like Sanger sequencing.
  • Third-Generation Sequencing: This newer technology includes methods like single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing and nanopore sequencing. These technologies can sequence longer DNA strands and provide more detailed insights into structural variations and complex regions of the genome.

Applications of Genome Sequencing:

  • Medical Diagnostics: Genome sequencing can identify genetic mutations linked to inherited diseases, cancer, and other health conditions. It plays a crucial role in precision medicine, where treatments are tailored based on a person’s genetic makeup.
  • Personalized Medicine: By sequencing an individual’s genome, doctors can predict how they might respond to certain medications, leading to more effective treatment plans.
  • Genetic Research: Genome sequencing helps researchers understand the genetic basis of diseases, evolution, and biodiversity. It’s also key in studying rare genetic disorders.
  • Forensics: Genome sequencing can be used in forensic science to identify individuals or determine relationships between people, such as paternity testing.
  • Agriculture: Sequencing the genomes of crops or livestock can help improve breeding practices, creating more resilient or productive species.

Importance of Genomic Sequencing for TB

  • Understanding Drug Resistance:
    One of the major challenges in TB treatment is drug resistance. By sequencing the genome of MTB, scientists can pinpoint genetic mutations that contribute to resistance against first-line and second-line TB drugs. This helps in understanding how resistant strains evolve and spread.
  • Faster Diagnosis:
    Genomic sequencing can potentially reduce the time needed to confirm a TB diagnosis. Traditional diagnostic methods take several weeks, but genomic technologies combined with artificial intelligence (AI) could shorten this to just a few days. This rapid diagnosis is critical in preventing further transmission and providing timely treatment.
  • Tailored Treatment Plans:
    The genetic data from MTB sequencing allows for more personalized treatment regimens. By identifying the specific resistance patterns in the TB bacteria, doctors can select the most effective drugs for each individual patient, improving treatment outcomes and minimizing the use of ineffective antibiotics.
  • Tracking TB Strains:
    Sequencing the TB bacterium enables scientists to track different strains of MTB circulating in the population. This data is vital for understanding the spread of TB and detecting outbreaks, especially in high-risk areas. It can also be used to monitor the emergence of new resistant strains.
  • Improving TB Control Programs:
    By integrating genomic data into TB control strategies, health organizations can better target interventions. For example, sequencing can help identify high-risk populations or regions where drug-resistant TB is most prevalent, allowing for more focused public health efforts.

The Role of India’s Genomic Sequencing Initiative

  • India, which bears a significant portion of the global TB burden, is leveraging genomic sequencing as part of its strategy to eliminate TB by 2025.
  • The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), in collaboration with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has initiated a massive genomic sequencing project under the “Dare2eraD TB” program.
  • This program aims to sequence 32,500 Mycobacterium tuberculosis samples from across India. As of March 2025, 10,000 samples have been sequenced, and the results show that 7% of these samples are resistant to at least one TB drug. Such data is critical for understanding the prevalence and spread of drug-resistant TB in India.
  • The genomic sequencing project will not only help track resistance patterns but also improve the effectiveness of TB diagnostics and treatment in the country.
  • By 2025, this initiative is expected to provide a wealth of genetic data that can be used to refine TB control strategies, improve patient outcomes, and ultimately contribute to the global effort to eliminate TB.

Challenges

  • Cost: While sequencing costs have significantly dropped, whole-genome sequencing can still be expensive, particularly in clinical settings.
  • Data Complexity: The massive amounts of data generated require sophisticated analysis tools and expertise, and understanding how genetic variations affect traits or diseases is still a challenge.
  • Ethical Concerns: The availability of personal genetic information raises concerns about privacy, discrimination, and how genetic data is used.

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