National Institute of Biomedical Genomics
Kalyani

Mandate

The National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG) is the first institution in India explicitly devoted to research, training, translation & service, and capacity-building in Biomedical Genomics. The primary aim of the institute is to understand the genetic underpinnings of all major human diseases, particularly those that are of public health importance in India, translate the research findings to reduce the burden of disease and build a formidable team of enablers (for disease prediction, prevention, and therapy) through collaboration and training.

Campus

NIBMG is located within a 30-acre campus in Kalyani, West Bengal. The land for NIBMG has been leased to the President of India from the Governor of West Bengal for the establishment and running of the National Institute of Biomedical Genomics.

Research Focus

The focus of research is the discovery of genes determining human biological processes, their functional characterization, and understanding of the inter-relationships of human biological systems to aid more precise management and control of human health and disease. To enable Genomic Medicine to come of age in India, the institute has adopted “Accelerating Genomics for Health” as its motto. Areas of specific interest include genomics of cancer and other chronic diseases, genomics of infectious diseases, and statistical and computational genomics.

Human Resource

The institute currently has 16 scientists and around 60 Research Fellows engaged in high-caliber research, supported by 05 technical staff and 10 administrative staff at the institute.

Key Scientific Achievements

Major achievements for the last 5 years (2017-22) are as follows:

• Genomics of Cancer: Generation of atlas of somatic genomic, epigenomic and transcriptomic alterations in gingivobuccal oral cancer (OSCC-GB) prevalent in India; characterization of intra and inter-tumor cell type and cell state diversities at a single cell level in OSCC-GB.
• The first oral cancer database, dbGENVOC, from exome/genome sequences of 100 Indian oral cancer patients has been established. Transcriptome-based novel subtypes of cancer-associated fibroblasts were discovered in oral cancer, and oral cancer stem cells were identified and characterized. Epigenetically modulated gene expression alterations in important pathways identified in oropharyngeal cancer prevalent in Northeast India. The molecular landscape of oral precancer and frank oral cancers was obtained. Novel oral cancer cell lines are established from patients with no tobacco consumption habit as experimental models for functional validation and drug discovery research.
• Epidemiological findings of public health relevance with respect to HPV infections and cervical cancer pathogenesis. Identification of genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic correlates of HPV16-associated cervical cancer.
• A 17-gene (METAGENE) signature was discovered to determine breast cancer recurrence/patient survival. A new tamoxifen-resistant cell line and a series of cell lines with differential sensitivity to estradiol were established.
• Development of computational pipelines for analysis of multi-omics data for mission mode projects in the institute.
• Key hub coordination the nationwide DBT sponsored INSACOG genome sequencing consortium.
• Identification of maternal common genetic variants associated with preterm birth using genome-wide genotyping in the GARBH-Ini cohort.
• The scientific contributions of the faculty and students at NIBMG have been recognized with key awards such as INSA Golden Jubilee Commemoration Medal, Lifetime Achievement Award from SciGenom Research Foundation, Dr.Rustam D Ranji Rotary Award, DBT-Wellcome India Alliance Fellowship, travel grants from the American Society of Human Genetics, Society of Molecular Biology & Evolution, Israel Science Foundation, and number of best presentation/poster awards at international conferences. Several scientists are members or elected Fellows of prestigious academies and societies and serve on international expert committees.
• The institute regularly organizes outreach and public engagement events such as its Open Days, Educational tours, participation in India International Science Festival (VigyanYatra), Science Setu webinars, Obaid Siddique Memorial Oration, several lectures and public talks by eminent international scientists and so on.