The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has announced the successful conclusion of the first phase of its groundbreaking longitudinal health monitoring project, the 'Phenome India-CSIR Health Cohort Knowledgebase' (PI-CheCK).

To mark this significant milestone, CSIR  organised a special event, 'Phenome India Unboxing 1.0', at the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Goa, on 3rd June.  Dr Souvik Maiti, Director, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Dr Sunil Kumar Singh, Director at CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Dr Shantanu Sengupta, Senior Principal Scientist at CSIR-IGIB, Dr Rajendra Prasad Singh, Senior Principal Scientist at CSIR and Dr Viren Sardana, Senior Scientist at Centre of Excellence for Intelligent Sensors and Systems were among the dignitaries present.

Dr Shantanu Sengupta  explained that for the first time, a pan-India longitudinal study is being conducted with an aim to develop an enhanced prediction model for cardio-metabolic disease, especially diabetes, liver diseases and cardiac diseases. Such a study is vital as these diseases have both genetic and lifestyle factors that contribute to risk, he said.

Stating that study managed to cross their target of 10,000 samples, the Senior Principal Scientist called upon other organisations to initiate similar sample collection drives. “Suppose, we get around 1 lakh or 10 lakh samples, then it will enable us to redefine all major parameters in the country”, he said as he explained that CSIR has developed a cost effective Standard Operating Procedure for sample collection.

Launched on 7th December 2023, the PI-CHeCK project aims to assess risk factors in non-communicable (cardio-metabolic) diseases within the Indian populace. This unique initiative has already enrolled nearly 10,000 participants, who have volunteered to provide comprehensive health data.