Mysore/Mysuru: The quest to understand the genetic basis of human health has given rise to the field of Medical Genetics that has vast practical applications from the use of its results in the legal battle like paternity testing to the discovery of new therapies for genetic diseases. 

The rare genetic disorders though not treatable, early diagnosis will help to improve the quality of life and extend the life span. Genetic variations are responsible for many human diseases and understanding the contribution made by these genes for the development of diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, etc., is quite fascinating and has led to the development of novel treatment modalities. 

Scientists have proved that genetics plays an important role in an individual’s immune response, affecting their ability to fight diseases. This has opened doors for a new field called Immunogenetics. A more current example that one can quote is regarding the prevailing situation of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus where few individuals recover completely while others succumb to the infection. The fact that a few countries have reported lower mortalities may be attributed to the immune status of the population which in turn has a genetic basis.    

Novel technologies like next-generation sequencing have dramatically accelerated the pace of biological research. Precision medicine is a new frontier for healthcare combining genomics, big data analytics and population health. We may expect to look forward to some amazing developments shortly, wherein we carry an identity card that includes our genome characteristics, rather than the format we are currently using. Hospitals and Physicians may use this data to identify the person at risk of developing a particular condition much before the actual symptoms are seen and also prescribe drugs tailored for that individual.

With this boost in knowledge and technology, there is a high demand for trained individuals who can cater to societal needs. The JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER) through the Department of Medical Genetics has initiated programmes like B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Medical Genetics and Genomics to train and provide skillful personnel in this field who would be ready to take up further challenges in this area. The programmes have been designed with industry experts and incorporating industry internships.

For details log on to the JSS AHER website (www.jssuni.edu.in) or contact Dr. Akila Prashant at: [email protected] and Abhinay on Mob: 9980841859, according to a press release.