Source: DD News
Subject: Miscellaneous
Context: The Union Minister of State for Science & Technology launched the Phenome National Conclave on Longitudinal Cohort Studies: Cohort Connect 2025 at CSIR–IMMT, Bhubaneswar.
About Cohort Connect 2025:
What it is?
- A nationwide scientific platform under the Phenome India programme, bringing together India’s major longitudinal cohort studies to generate large-scale, India-specific health data for precision medicine, disease prediction, and public health planning.
Launched In: 2025, by the Ministry of Science & Technology at CSIR–IMMT, Bhubaneswar.
Aim:
- To examine how genes, lifestyle, behaviour, nutrition, pollution, and environment influence disease patterns in Indian populations.
- To create a massive longitudinal dataset for chronic and emerging diseases like diabetes, cancer, neurological disorders, and infectious disease interactions (e.g., diabetes–TB link).
Key Features:
- Integrates multiple Indian cohort studies under one national framework (“Cohort Connect”).
- Focuses on rising non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including diabetes, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and renal complications.
- Uses advanced tools such as genome sequencing, biomarkers, digital health monitoring, and lifestyle mapping.
- Builds upon India’s existing genomic progress—10,000 human genomes sequenced, moving toward one million genomes.
- Encourages collaboration between CSIR labs, DBT institutions, clinicians, epidemiologists, and industry partners.
- Generates long-term datasets involving diverse Indian populations, addressing India’s unique genetic and cultural diversity.
Significance:
- Provides “Indian data for Indian solutions”, reducing dependence on Western health models.
- Enables early detection, personalised treatment, and prevention strategies tailored to India’s population.
- Strengthens India’s preparedness against future health challenges, including emerging infections and lifestyle diseases.
