New Delhi, Dec 5 (UNI) Minister of Science and Technology Dr Harsh Vardhan on Saturday said that the government is committed to reduce the burden of cancer in the country by employing latest technologies in the genomics, proteomics, metabolomics and artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Inaugurating the 2nd TCGA 2020 conference virtually, he said “Diverse molecular mechanisms including genetic and lifestyle factors contribute to cancer, posing significant challenges to treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to better understand the underlying factors patient by patient. In this context, it is important that we create indigenous, open-source and comprehensive database of molecular profiles of all cancer prevalent in Indian population population”.
The Union Minister acknowledged the efforts of the consortium comprising of scientists and clinicians from across the world, who have come together to build an Indian Cancer Genomics Atlas (ICGA).
He also urged them to focus on important issues of uniformity and integrity of specimens representing different parts of India, to make Indian Cancer Genomics Atlas (ICGA) useful for clinicians throughout India. He said this would set a way forward in making cancer treatment accessible and affordable.
Prof Syed Modasser Ali, Chairman Bangladesh Medical Research Council, Dhaka delivered keynote address. He thanked the organizers for successfully conducting the 2nd Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) 2020 conference today. He promised extended long-term support to achieving the goals under the TCGA programme. He said that TCGA would be a great example for other developing countries.
CSIR DG Prof Shekhar Mande underlined the importance of scientific team building from diverse backgrounds in strategizing a coordinated response.
He noted that establishment of Indian Cancer Genomics Atlas (ICGA) is a much needed initiative and will add value to India and to the world of science in terms of cancer treatment.
US’s national Cancer Institute Dr Jean Claude Zenklusen US-NCI) delivered Keynote lecture on the Cancer Genome Atlas- A Model for Team Science. Oncologists, Researchers, Scientists, and Academicians from India, USA, UK and Bangladesh are participating in international conference.
TCGA is a landmark cancer genomics program that molecularly characterized over 20,000 primary cancer and matched normal samples spanning 33 cancer types.
This joint effort between the US- National Cancer Institute and the National Human Genome Research Institute began in 2006, bringing together researchers from diverse disciplines and multiple institutions.
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