The National
Centre of Applied Human Genetics supports
genetic and genomic research to understand system
biology in humans. The Centre also encourages
investigation into the ethical, legal and social
aspects related to genetic research and pursues
educational outreach activities in the subject.
From a modest beginning in
March 1980 at the Institute
of Medical Sciences Banaras Hindu University followed
by the establishment of Human Genetics in a University
setting at JNU since March 1989, we have progressed
with conviction and innovation over more than
two decades. The University setting has provided
a back up of infrastructural support, encouragement,
freedom to work and a renewable source of manpower
in terms of young enthusiastic students.
The University Grants
Commission (UGC) recognized and
upgraded the Human Genetics Laboratory at the
School of Life Sciences, J.N.U. to a National
centre of Applied Human Genetics (NCAHG), in April
2002 under New Schemes during IX Plan. The Centre
thus became one of the two National Centres in
the country within Universities to initiate training
and research in the areas of Molecular Human Genetics,
Genomics. One of the Centres, at Panjab University
Chandigarh, emphasized more on teaching and started
an M.Sc. programme in the area of Human Genomics;
whereas in the NCAHG at SLS, JNU, the emphasis
was laid on manpower development and research.
In the process, NCAHG emerged as the only such
centre within the university set up where state
of art research and training in this upcoming
discipline was possible. The teaching and research
conducted, earlier to the establishment of NCAHG,
at a few universities in the country, lacked emphasis
on the current trends in Human Genomics and Applied
aspects of Human Genetics.
The spirit of competitive research and confidence
in imparting training to underprivileged in the
modern areas of human genetics and genomics, developed
with locally available talent and with the in-house
training, has been very satisfying experience.
NCAHG is in a position to project itself as an
equal to others abroad and look for partnerships
as an equal in future. NCAHG would like to instill
this spirit in students and researchers who take
the opportunity to imbibe the knowledge and technical
know how established over three decades. The infrastructural
facilities to support training and research is
adequate for small numbers at a given time.
We have been entertaining a floating population
of trainees throughout the year. The facilities
have been used for training High School, College-going
students graduates and postgraduates. Future plans
of public-awarenes programmes in the subject by
developing the educational material, creation
of linkages with national and international educational-research
institutions and industries are in the process
of planning and execution. Any support or collaboration
in this direction is welcome by the Centre.