Next Generation Sequencing in India

The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare has inaugurated the Next Generation Sequencing (NSG) facility at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad.

What is the Next Generation Sequencing (NSG) facility?

• The Next Generation Sequencing (NSG) facility is a state of the art machine which can sequence 18,000 samples in just under 8 minutes.
• It will help in the prenatal genetic screening and counseling, thereby generating large scale genomic data critical for diagnosis and therapy.
• The NSG facility will help in research and development of drugs for rare genetic diseases.
• This will help the drug research in India as the drug industry currently does not manufacture these drugs due to high costs involved.

Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB)

• The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) is the premier biotechnology research establishment in India.
• It is located in Hyderabad and is operated under the administration of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
• It has been designated a “Center of Excellence” by the Global Molecular and Cell Biology Network, UNESCO.

India’s only national biosafety level 4 containment facility which for human infectious diseases is also located on the campus of CCMB.

It is responsible for discovering the heart disease mutation, first genetically engineered, gene knockout mouse in India and carrying out first artificial insemination technology in India, to revive extinct ruminant mammals, like deer.