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Union Minister of State for Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh has released "Biotech-PRIDE (Promotion of Research and Innovation through Data Exchange) Guidelines". The Guidelines have been developed by the Department of Biotechnology and the Ministry of Science and Technology.

At the event, the Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology Dr.RenuSwarup was also present along with other senior govt officials and researchers from various esteemed institutions.

The Minister, Dr Singh, also launched the Indian Biological Data Centre's website.

For a country like India, its own exclusive database is a much requirement for Indian Research and Solutions, said Dr Jitendra Singh . This indigenous database will provide a mechanism to accomplish exchange and adoption of data by young researchers and scientists for the Indian citizens' benefits.

Describing the Biotech-PRIDE as one of its kind, Dr Singh informed that India rank's is number 4 amongst the top 20 countries for contribution in Biological Databases1.

The Government invests a huge amount to produce data in several sectors, including in the Bioscience sector to generate knowledge, to acquire thorough understanding into intricate biological mechanisms and other processes, he added.

He added that the sharing of large scale data on a wide range will advance the molecular understanding and biological processes which contribute to human health on animal husbandry, agriculture, fundamental research and thus also extends to societal benefits.

Initially, these Guidelines will be implemented through IBDC (Indian Biological Data Centre) at Regional Centre for Biotechnology supported by DBT (Department of Biotechnology) and will be bridged with the other datasets or data centres, also called Bio-Grid. This Bio-Grid will be a National Repository for biological information, knowledge, and data. It will also be responsible for facilitating its exchange, standards and quality for datasets, developing measures for safety, and establishing detailed modalities to access data.

The Biotech PRIDE Guidelines will enable information exchange to promote innovation and research in different research groups across the nation.