Preamble
India’s demographic complexity, disease burden, agricultural vulnerability, and environmental transitions require scientific solutions that are rigorous, scalable, and socially responsive. The Dr. Lalji Singh Research Centre (DLSRC) is established to advance high-quality genomics and applied science while ensuring measurable public impact, particularly across Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Northern India.
- Genomic Research: Generate high-coverage genomic data from modern and ancient South Asian populations to study ancestry, admixture, and evolutionary history.
- Ancient DNA Analysis: Establish a dedicated aDNA laboratory to analyse remains from archaeological sites such as Roopkund, Rakhigarhi, and the Gangetic plains.
- Forensic Genetics: Develop DNA-based forensic tools for criminal investigations, kinship analysis, and disaster victim identification.
- Medical Genomics and Disease Screening: Identify genetic variants associated with infectious diseases (e.g., COVID-19) and lifestyle diseases (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, 25bp MYBPC3 deletion), enabling precision medicine.
- Interdisciplinary Integration: Combine genetic, forensic, archaeological, linguistic, and anthropological data to reconstruct South Asia’s demographic and cultural history.
- Plant Genomics: Plant genomics studies the structure, function, and evolution of plant genomes to improve traits like yield and resilience. CRISPR-Cas9 enables precise genome editing by targeting specific DNA sequences for modification or repair. This technology revolutionises plant breeding, creating crops with enhanced traits faster than traditional methods.
Strategic Objectives
- Advance Genomic and Ancient DNA Research: Generate high-resolution genomic data from modern and ancient South Asian populations to elucidate ancestry, admixture, evolutionary history, and disease susceptibility. Establish and strengthen dedicated capacity for ancient DNA analysis.
- Translate Genomics into Precision Diagnostics: Identify and validate clinically actionable genetic variants associated with infectious and lifestyle diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and cardiomyopathies, and translate these insights into accessible, scalable diagnostic solutions.
- Strengthen Forensic Genomic Applications: Develop robust, standardised DNA-based forensic tools for criminal investigation, kinship analysis, and disaster victim identification, reinforcing scientific integrity within justice processes.
- Advance Agricultural Genomics and Climate Resilience: Apply genome sequencing, trait mapping, and CRISPR-based editing to enhance crop yield, stress tolerance, and sustainability in climate-sensitive regions.
- Integrate Interdisciplinary Scientific Approaches: Combine genetics, archaeology, anthropology, epidemiology, and environmental science to generate comprehensive insights into South Asia’s demographic, health, and ecological dynamics.
- Build Regional Scientific Capacity: Develop Eastern Uttar Pradesh as a credible hub for genomics, diagnostics, and applied research through infrastructure development, training programs, ethical governance, and national–international collaborations.