Dr Swaraj Basu highlights how structured, standardised and connected genomic data can drive meaningful breakthroughs in research and patient care
Dr Swaraj Basu, Principal Bioinformatics Engineer at Strand Life Sciences1
India is experiencing an exciting surge in genetic and health data.
Large research initiatives like GenomeIndia, coupled with the growing use of genomic testing in cancer care, rare disease diagnosis, and preventive health, are creating enormous opportunities to improve medicine. While collecting this data has become easier, the bigger challenge today is making sense of it all. Simply put, data alone is not enough; it must be organised, standardised, and analysed so it can translate into real benefits for patients.
Turning raw data into actionable insights
Currently, much of India’s genetic data is stored in isolated “silos” across hospitals, labs, and research institutions. Different teams use different formats, making it hard to combine datasets for large-scale studies. These gaps can be bridged by:
- Integrating data from different sources, including targeted sequencing-based biomarker assays, whole-genome sequencing, and multi-omics datasets.
- Standardising the data using global frameworks so it can be compared with studies from around the world.
- Applying consistent, validated workflows, ensuring results are accurate, reproducible, and reliable.
The outcome is data that doesn’t just sit in storage; it becomes actionable knowledge, revealing patterns that link genetic information to health outcomes. This is critical for understanding diseases, discovering new treatments, and improving patient care.
Connecting India to global research
One of the most powerful advantages of data harmonisation is the ability to connect Indian datasets with international research programs, like TCGA, UK Biobank, and All of Us Research Hub. This allows Indian scientists and clinicians to:
- Make new discoveries by comparing datasets across populations.
- Publish high-impact research that meets global standards.
- Secure stronger grants by demonstrating the ability to integrate local data with worldwide resources.
- Guide future research by identifying trends and patterns faster.
By linking local data to global studies, India’s research community can accelerate discoveries that matter both nationally and internationally.
What is out there?
India has capabilities in a wide variety of genomics projects, including multi-cancer early detection assays, tumor biomarker discovery, and genomic pipelines for therapy selection. This expertise includes:
- College of American Pathologists (CAP-) and National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)-accredited, secure, regulatory-compliant environments for sensitive health data.
- Federated and cloud-based models that allow data to remain under local control while contributing to larger studies.
- Scalable pipelines built on frameworks like Nextflow that can handle India’s vast and diverse datasets.
- Tools for monitoring data quality to ensure accurate, trustworthy results.
Building an equitable genomic future for India
India’s strength lies in its genetic, cultural, and environmental diversity. Therefore, the research community needs to ensure that this diversity is fully reflected in the genomic datasets that it harmonises and analyses. This work not only advances scientific discovery but also supports equitable outcomes, ensuring that the benefits of precision medicine extend across India’s populations.
With the right infrastructure, India can accelerate discoveries, strengthen its global research presence, and deliver personalised healthcare solutions tailored to its citizens. Collaborations across hospitals, research institutions, and policymakers are needed to turn this vision into reality, helping to shape a future where genomic insights translate into better health for everyone.