Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology
Encyclopedia
Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) is a scientific research institute
devoted primarily to integrated biological research. It is a part of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India.
The institute started off as the Center for Biochemical Technology
in 1977 and the primary focus was biochemical research but since the inception of genomics
and bioinformatics
approaches, the focus shifted to integrative biology. Today, it stands amongst the premiere research institutes of CSIR.
IGIB was a co-host of the prestigious Human Genome Organization (HUGO) meet HGM-2008 (13th Human Genome Meeting, Sat 27-Tue 30 Sep 2008), held at Hyderabad International Convention Centre , Hyderabad, India, where Prof. S.K.Brahmachari, former Director of IGIB and current Director General of CSIR and DSIR co-chaired the meet with Prof. Edison Liu
, HUGO president.
Near Jubilee Hall, Delhi
Mall Road, Delhi-110 007
.(CBT). The Functional Genomics Unit was established in 1998 with the focus shifting from chemical to genomics research. The institute was rechristened "Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology" in 2002 and encompassed Computational and Bioinformatics
approaches in making a deliberate shift towards Integrative Biological Research.
and biological sciences such as allergy and infectious diseases, molecular pathogenesis
and recombinant DNA technology while focusing mainly on Genomics
and Bio-informatics. The research activities/projects of the Institute can be classified under the "Discovery Research" and "Collaborative Research".
Institute has transformed from an isolated laboratory working in the area of biochemical research to a laboratory dedicated to genomics research.
that causes SARS (Severe acute respiratory syndrome
) was brought into public domain, in 2003 its scientists discovered three new genes of the virus, using patented computational tools and a gene prediction method called ``Gene Decipher" developed at the IGIB, for gene prediction and functional analysis. In 2004, the institute along with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), after discovering the "genetic mutation" that could possibly make certain people susceptible to schizophrenia
, started developing a "schizophrenia screening technique", and was granted a US patent for it, then 2009, its team decoded the whole genome sequencing of the wild-type zebrafish, with about 1.7 billion genetic alphabets. This made the fish, which is native to the Himalayan
region, the first vertebrate
to have its whole genome sequenced in India, as previously Indian scientists had only sequenced bacteria and plant genomes. In December 2009, scientists at IGIB decoded human genome for the first time in India.
Research institute
A research institute is an establishment endowed for doing research. Research institutes may specialize in basic research or may be oriented to applied research...
devoted primarily to integrated biological research. It is a part of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India.
The institute started off as the Center for Biochemical Technology
Center for Biochemical Technology
Center for Biochemical technology is the old name for the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology. The research institute under the purview of CSIR, INDIA was named IGIB in 2002 depicting a shift towards integrated biological research with genomics and bioinformatics approaches along with...
in 1977 and the primary focus was biochemical research but since the inception of genomics
Genomics
Genomics is a discipline in genetics concerning the study of the genomes of organisms. The field includes intensive efforts to determine the entire DNA sequence of organisms and fine-scale genetic mapping efforts. The field also includes studies of intragenomic phenomena such as heterosis,...
and bioinformatics
Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics is the application of computer science and information technology to the field of biology and medicine. Bioinformatics deals with algorithms, databases and information systems, web technologies, artificial intelligence and soft computing, information and computation theory, software...
approaches, the focus shifted to integrative biology. Today, it stands amongst the premiere research institutes of CSIR.
IGIB was a co-host of the prestigious Human Genome Organization (HUGO) meet HGM-2008 (13th Human Genome Meeting, Sat 27-Tue 30 Sep 2008), held at Hyderabad International Convention Centre , Hyderabad, India, where Prof. S.K.Brahmachari, former Director of IGIB and current Director General of CSIR and DSIR co-chaired the meet with Prof. Edison Liu
Edison Liu
Edison Liu is the current president of Human Genome Organization, HUGO-Education:1983-1987Postdoctoral Fellow - Dept. of Microbiology, University of California at San Francisco, CA Edison Liu is the current president of Human Genome Organization, HUGO-Education:1983-1987Postdoctoral Fellow - Dept....
, HUGO president.
Location
Institute of Genomics and Integrative BiologyNear Jubilee Hall, Delhi
Jubilee Hall, Delhi
Jubilee Hall, Delhi is the largest of the men's hostels in the University of Delhi. It houses full-time Post Graduate and Research students, of the university, and is located in University Campus, on the Mall Road, a stones throw from the Vishwavidyalaya Metro Station of Delhi Metro...
Mall Road, Delhi-110 007
History
IGIB was established in 1977 as the Center for Biochemical TechnologyCenter for Biochemical Technology
Center for Biochemical technology is the old name for the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology. The research institute under the purview of CSIR, INDIA was named IGIB in 2002 depicting a shift towards integrated biological research with genomics and bioinformatics approaches along with...
.(CBT). The Functional Genomics Unit was established in 1998 with the focus shifting from chemical to genomics research. The institute was rechristened "Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology" in 2002 and encompassed Computational and Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics is the application of computer science and information technology to the field of biology and medicine. Bioinformatics deals with algorithms, databases and information systems, web technologies, artificial intelligence and soft computing, information and computation theory, software...
approaches in making a deliberate shift towards Integrative Biological Research.
Overview
IGIB is one of the premier laboratories under CSIR, carrying out important Research & Development activities in various areas of modern biotechnologyBiotechnology
Biotechnology is a field of applied biology that involves the use of living organisms and bioprocesses in engineering, technology, medicine and other fields requiring bioproducts. Biotechnology also utilizes these products for manufacturing purpose...
and biological sciences such as allergy and infectious diseases, molecular pathogenesis
Pathogenesis
The pathogenesis of a disease is the mechanism by which the disease is caused. The term can also be used to describe the origin and development of the disease and whether it is acute, chronic or recurrent...
and recombinant DNA technology while focusing mainly on Genomics
Genomics
Genomics is a discipline in genetics concerning the study of the genomes of organisms. The field includes intensive efforts to determine the entire DNA sequence of organisms and fine-scale genetic mapping efforts. The field also includes studies of intragenomic phenomena such as heterosis,...
and Bio-informatics. The research activities/projects of the Institute can be classified under the "Discovery Research" and "Collaborative Research".
Institute has transformed from an isolated laboratory working in the area of biochemical research to a laboratory dedicated to genomics research.
Achievements
After the genome sequence of the virusSARS coronavirus
The SARS coronavirus, sometimes shortened to SARS-CoV, is the virus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome . On April 16, 2003, following the outbreak of SARS in Asia and secondary cases elsewhere in the world, the World Health Organization issued a press release stating that the...
that causes SARS (Severe acute respiratory syndrome
Severe acute respiratory syndrome
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome is a respiratory disease in humans which is caused by the SARS coronavirus . Between November 2002 and July 2003 an outbreak of SARS in Hong Kong nearly became a pandemic, with 8,422 cases and 916 deaths worldwide according to the WHO...
) was brought into public domain, in 2003 its scientists discovered three new genes of the virus, using patented computational tools and a gene prediction method called ``Gene Decipher" developed at the IGIB, for gene prediction and functional analysis. In 2004, the institute along with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), after discovering the "genetic mutation" that could possibly make certain people susceptible to schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social...
, started developing a "schizophrenia screening technique", and was granted a US patent for it, then 2009, its team decoded the whole genome sequencing of the wild-type zebrafish, with about 1.7 billion genetic alphabets. This made the fish, which is native to the Himalayan
Himalayas
The Himalaya Range or Himalaya Mountains Sanskrit: Devanagari: हिमालय, literally "abode of snow"), usually called the Himalayas or Himalaya for short, is a mountain range in Asia, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau...
region, the first vertebrate
Vertebrate
Vertebrates are animals that are members of the subphylum Vertebrata . Vertebrates are the largest group of chordates, with currently about 58,000 species described. Vertebrates include the jawless fishes, bony fishes, sharks and rays, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds...
to have its whole genome sequenced in India, as previously Indian scientists had only sequenced bacteria and plant genomes. In December 2009, scientists at IGIB decoded human genome for the first time in India.
Industrial Alliances
IGIB has formed alliances with leading Biotech/Pharmaceutical companies to work jointly in developing cost-effective, indigenous technologies in order to provide improved health-care facilities to the masses. Moreover, it has built on its current research strength to create a distinctive research profile and has also gained international recognition in key research areas in Biological research. The alliances formed by IGIB are not only restricted to research but are also for activities in human resource development and for providing biomedical services etc. This has helped the Institute to position itself as a knowledge provider and improve the frequency levels of its interaction with the Industry. Recognizing the wealth of knowledge vested in the Institute, its research capabilities, several leading companies from Biotech/Pharmaceutical Industry Have come forward to form alliances with the Institute.