The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under India’s Ministry of Science and Technology, in collaboration with Persistent Systems, launched MANAV: The Human Atlas Initiative. This ambitious project aims to create a comprehensive, interactive atlas of human biology by compiling and synthesizing data at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and organ levels from existing scientific literature and public databases
Unified Human Atlas: MANAV seeks to consolidate scattered human biological data into a structured, unified repository. This integration will provide a holistic understanding of how molecular-level changes impact human organs and overall physiology.
Identification of Knowledge Gaps: By systematically organizing existing information, the project aims to pinpoint gaps in current biological knowledge, guiding future research directions.
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune: An autonomous institution under the Ministry of Human Resource Development, IISER Pune is responsible for training participants and overseeing data curation processes. National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune: An autonomous organization aided by DBT, NCCS collaborates with IISER Pune in executing the project’s objectives.
Persistent Systems: As the technology partner, Persistent Systems provides the necessary platform and data management solutions for the projectDisease Modeling: A detailed human atlas will enhance the understanding of disease mechanisms at the cellular and molecular levels, facilitating the development of accurate disease models.
Drug Discovery: By offering insights into molecular interactions within the human body, MANAV can aid in identifying potential therapeutic targets, accelerating drug discovery processes.
Personalized Healthcare: The project’s findings can contribute to tailoring medical treatments based on individual molecular profiles, advancing the field of personalized medicine.
MANAV is designed as a citizen science initiative, actively involving students, educators, and researchers across India. Participants are trained to curate and annotate data from scientific literature, fostering a culture of collaborative research and enhancing data analysis skills within the scientific community.
Funding and Support:
The project operates on a public-private partnership model, with DBT investing ₹13 crore and Persistent Systems contributing ₹7 crore. This collaboration underscores the commitment of both public institutions and private enterprises to advancing scientific research in India.
MANAV: The Human Atlas Initiative represents a significant step toward integrating and understanding the vast array of human biological data. By creating a detailed map of the human body at multiple levels, the project holds the potential to revolutionize biomedical research, enhance disease treatment strategies, and pave the way for personalized healthcare solutions.
