India’s First Diabetes Biobank

Why in the news?

  • India’s First: Diabetes biobank launched to advance scientific understanding of diabetes.
  • Collects Samples: Includes blood specimens from diverse Indian populations for research into Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes (GDM).

INDIA'S FIRST DIABETES BIOBANK

Key Highlights of the Biobank

  • Chronic Disease: Diabetes disrupts blood sugar regulation, leading to severe complications like blindness, kidney failure, and heart disease.
  • Epidemiological Study: Between 2008-2020, over 2 lakh individuals from urban and rural India were sampled to understand diabetes trends.
  • Research Enabler: Helps explore genetic, environmental, and lifestyle risk factors, supporting targeted treatment and prevention strategies.

Significance of the Initiative

  • Public Health: Aims to combat India’s growing diabetes burden and improve health outcomes.
  • Global Impact: Establishes India as a leader in diabetes research, contributing to personalized medicine and innovative solutions.

Different Types of Diabetes

  • Type 1 Diabetes:
  • Cause: Autoimmune reaction that destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.
  • Onset: Typically develops in childhood or adolescence.
  • Management: Requires insulin therapy for survival.
  • Type 2 Diabetes:
  • Cause: Insulin resistance or insufficient insulin production due to lifestyle factors and genetics.
  • Onset: Common in adults but increasingly seen in younger populations.
  • Management: Controlled through diet, exercise, medication, and sometimes insulin therapy.
  • Gestational Diabetes (GDM):
  • Cause: Develops during pregnancy due to hormonal changes affecting insulin sensitivity.
  • Onset: Temporary, but women with GDM are at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later.
  • Management: Requires monitoring blood sugar, dietary changes, and sometimes medication.
  • Other Specific Types:
  • Monogenic Diabetes: Caused by a single gene mutation, such as MODY (Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young).
  • Secondary Diabetes: Results from other medical conditions, such as pancreatitis or medication use like steroids.
  • Each type has distinct causes, risk factors, and management strategies, highlighting the need for personalized research and treatment

Sources Referred:

PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times