- India has completed genome sequencing of 10,000 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates as part of its strategy to eliminate TB ahead of the WHO’s 2030 target.
- The initiative, under the Dare2eraD TB program, aims to enhance TB diagnostics and drug resistance detection, improving treatment outcomes.
India has completed genome sequencing of 10,000 isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, marking a significant milestone in its fight against tuberculosis (TB).
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced at a summit held on World TB Day at Vigyan Bhawan, where he reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicating TB ahead of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2030 target.
The genome sequencing initiative is a part of the Dare2eraD TB program (Data Driven Research to Eradicate TB), launched in March 2022. Under this initiative, the Indian Tuberculosis Genomic Surveillance (InTGS) Consortium, led by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), is working to sequence over 32,000 TB isolates. The goal is to identify drug resistance mutations and enhance treatment effectiveness.
Addressing a gathering of medical professionals, scientists, and researchers, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the importance of collaborative research and a comprehensive strategy. He highlighted how genome sequencing can significantly improve diagnostic accuracy, reducing the time required to detect drug resistance from weeks to just hours or days.
“Unless we involve common people, raise their consciousness, and evoke their participation, our fight against TB will remain incomplete,” he said.
The deep genomic dataset being developed through this initiative is expected to revolutionize TB diagnostics. By providing faster and more precise resistance profiling, the approach can help tailor treatment regimens for individual patients, reducing the risk of treatment failure and relapse.
However, Dr. Jitendra Singh acknowledged that the adoption of molecular diagnostic methods remains uneven due to socioeconomic disparities. He stressed the need for scaling up these innovations to ensure real-world impact.
Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary of DBT, hailed the sequencing of 10,000 TB isolates as a major step forward, stating that the data generated will be crucial in strengthening India’s TB surveillance and diagnostic capabilities. He also highlighted the need to translate research into practical applications that can be implemented at scale.
The summit was attended by senior officials, including Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR; Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director General of ICMR; and Dr. M. Srinivas, Director of AIIMS, among others.
With India accounting for a significant portion of the global TB burden, the government’s investment in genomic research, policy interventions, and community participation is expected to accelerate progress toward its goal of a TB-free India by 2025.
Edited by Harshajit Sarmah
