IIT Madras Launches Cancer Genome Atlas

The IIT Madras launched the Bharat Cancer Genome Atlas (BCGA), a pioneering database for paediatric leukaemia, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers, on World Cancer Day. This initiative, part of the broader Bharat Cancer Genome Grid (BCG2), aims to address the critical gap in genomic data for cancers prevalent in India, which has been under-represented in global studies. The project received substantial support of Rs 56 crore from the Hyundai Motor Company===Hyundai Motor India Foundation. The BCGA is designed to accelerate the adoption of Whole Genome Sequencing in oncology practice, facilitate early diagnosis, track disease progression, and guide therapeutic decisions. It is a collaborative effort involving institutions like Karkinos Healthcare, K. K. Child Trust Hospital, and Institute of Child Health, Chennai. The database is publicly accessible to researchers and clinicians globally, promising to enhance understanding of cancer's genetic basis and advance personalized medicine in India.