India's first diabetes biobank, established by ICMR and MDRF in Chennai, aims to support advanced research on diabetes by collecting and storing biospecimens. It will aid in identifying biomarkers, developing personalized treatments, and improving diabetes management strategies.

Chennai has become the site for India's first diabetes biobank, a collaborative effort between the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF). Based at MDRF, this biobank aims to collect, process, store, and distribute biological samples to support scientific research on diabetes and related disorders. The details are published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research.

The biobank will focus on studying the causes of diabetes, including variations specific to the Indian population. It includes blood samples from two major ICMR-funded studies: the ICMR-India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) study and the "Registry of people with diabetes in India at a young age at the onset." These studies cover various diabetes types, including Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes, particularly among young individuals.

Dr. V Mohan, chairman of MDRF, highlighted the importance of the biobank in identifying biomarkers for early diagnosis and developing personalized treatment strategies. The biobank will also enable longitudinal studies to track diabetes progression and complications, contributing to better management and prevention strategies.

(Source:https://www.ptinews.com/story/national/icmr-sets-up-india-s-first-diabetes-biobank-in-chennai/2088147 )