Access to biological materials is a key prerequisite for scientific research in any medical field and in particular for research on inherited disorders, for which obtaining high-quality samples and the related clinical data remains a major hurdle. Inherited disorder bio-banks can play a pivotal role in making such materials and data available to the scientific community. Considering the high disease burden and a large number

of patients, there is a tremendous need for Indian bio-banks to preserve Indian samples; to capture the great diversity of inherited disorders; to spur research into more precise diagnosis and better treatments for these diseases through the utilization of genomics as a part of a cutting-edge approach to promote health and combat disease.

With this aim, Department of Biotechnology (DBT) invites Institution based preproposals in the area of Medical Genetics in collaboration with clinicians specifically pathologists in lead role to develop National facility on population-specific/diseasespecific Bio-banks for the receipt, storage and distribution of samples for basic, clinical and epidemiological medical research and for the use of future purpose to treat the affected family members. 

DBT is taking a two-stage, one-application approach to the development of bio-banks that will meet the Medical Research sample storage and distribution needs.

A. Phase I (2 years): During the phase I, the successful awardees will each:
a. Create a plan for the organization and development of a full-scale Bio-bank,
b. Formulate procedures and equipment needs,
c. Ensure all regulatory, ethical and consent issues are addressed.
d. Train personnel,
e. Identify and provide solutions for any logistical problems that can be foreseen and
f. Within the limits of the Phase I budget, test and implement as many of the procedures as possible.
The objective of the Phase I stage will be for the awardees to plan for and demonstrate their ability to fulfill the goal of implementing a full-scale bio-bank in Phase II.

B. Phase II (4 years): In Phase II, the awardees will implement the plans they developed during Phase I to implement a full-scale bio-bank. It is expected that each of the bio-bank will be operating at full scale by no later than the end of the second year of Phase II. 

Pre-Proposals may be submitted in the prescribed format (Annexure‑I) clearly stating ​‘Proposal against Call for Pre-Proposal on creation of Bio-banking facility under UMMID’ through an email:vinita.chaudhary@nic.in
Instruction Manual (Annexure-II) may please be seen before submitting the proposal. Subsequently, two hard copies should also be sent to:

Dr. Vinita N. Chaudhary,
Scientist ​‘D’, Department of
Biotechnology, Block- 2,
Room No.816, 8^th floor, CGO
Complex, Lodhi Road, New
Delhi – 110003.