CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), Delhi, kick-started a series of events under the “One Week, One Lab” programme from   18 to 23 September 2023, to highlight the institute’s outstanding research and technological innovations. The theme of the event was “Bringing Genomics Closer to the Society”. The event had major programmes where the goal was to connect to various stakeholders, including clinicians, industry, school students, research scholars, and society. 

The event's inauguration commenced on 18 September at CSIR-IGIB Auditorium, Mathura Road Campus, New Delhi. The dignitaries that graced the occasion included Chief Guest Dr Rajesh S Gokhale, DBT Secretary; Guest of Honour Dr NK Ganguly, Ex-DG, ICMR, and Dr Sudeep Gupta, Director, Actrec.

The institute inaugurated the comprehensive multi-omics database of Indian breast cancer patients generated as part of the CSIR-led Indian Breast Cancer Genome Atlas (IBCGA) programme. This pan-India collaborative effort between cancer researchers, data scientists and clinicians is a huge step towards facilitating breast cancer diagnosis and therapeutics aimed at profiling 1000 breast cancer patient samples. To encourage this journey of improving precision medicine in India, the data release of genomic and transcriptomic data of 200 breast tumours from Indian patients was planned. There were extensive research exhibitions from various laboratories to showcase major themes of IGIB.

On 19 September, “Clinical-Connect Day: Renewing the Old & Forging New Collaborations” had events like popular lectures, panel discussions and exhibitions. This was possible because of the Institute’s extensive and long-term collaborations with medical professionals across India and mutual trust. The event provided an excellent networking platform for clinical leaders, scientists, and young medical and research students to come together and discuss the road ahead for providing cutting-edge technologies for patient care.

As part of this clinical feast, the Online Portal for the much-anticipated flagship programme: "Phenome India: CSIR Health Cohort Knowledgebase" was inaugurated by Joint Secretary, CSIR, Shri Mahendra Kumar Gupta. This is a first-of-its-kind pan-India collaborative effort between all CSIR laboratories to develop personalised risk prediction scores for communicable and non-communicable disorders (cardio-metabolic).

On the third day, 20 September, Industry-Connect was organised. It was an exciting day involving promoting active exchange and networking between industry professionals and researchers. CSIR DG Dr N Kalaiselvi joined online. In her presence, for the first time, a video was formally showcased highlighting the activities of the institute. She congratulated IGIB fraternity that has come out as a leader in a short time and also emphasised having a larger canvas.

The day was full of inspiring talks by industry leaders as they shared insights on the future of technology and start-up space in the country. There was a panel discussion with experts in the field of Genetic Counselling participating.

The outreach day on 21 September saw a large footfall of 1300 students in both campuses. The young minds caught a glimpse of lab exhibitions, live demos, facility visits, hands-on activities, and lots of fun-filled games and quizzes. In addition, there was a popular science talk by a young entrepreneur, Mr Aryan Mishra, who also inaugurated the Ramanujan-Hardy Lab. This is an exclusive space away from the main lab where school students can pursue their ideas through self-designed experiments. IGIB scientists will mentor students and nurture their ideas.

The last theme of the event was an off-site two-day workshop at the University of Kashmir from 22 to 23 September, where IGIB scientists showcased their innovative research outcomes through jointly organised training lectures. The day was filled with engaging talks and stimulating discussions centred around posters.

During the valedictory session, Hon’ble Minister S&T, Dr Jitendra Singh, graced the occasion and presented poster awards to students. In parallel, at IGIB, a Zebrafish Laboratory training workshop was organised from 22 to 27 September that covered aspects of ethics in animal research, embryonic development in a petri-dish, genetics, and genomics of zebrafish.

The event culminated with student-led activities, where the students of IGIB participated with big ideas in the field of life sciences in the form of the shark tank forum.