The BHARAT Study: A Multi-Modal, Multi-Omics Investigation Of Aging Signatures In The Indian Population
Our bodies age differently, and how we age is influenced by a complex mix of our genes, lifestyle, and environment. For a long time, much of what we understood about aging and health was based on studies of Western populations. However, these findings don’t always accurately apply to diverse populations like India, where unique genetic backgrounds, diets, and environmental factors play a significant role. This is why a groundbreaking research initiative was launched to specifically understand aging in the Indian context.
This large-scale study collects a vast amount of health information from individuals across India. This includes “multi-omics” data, which means looking at various biological molecules like our genes (genomics), proteins (proteomics), and small molecules involved in metabolism (metabolomics). Researchers also gather clinical data, lifestyle habits, and environmental factors. By integrating all this information, the goal is to create a comprehensive picture of what healthy aging looks like for the Indian population.
The project aims to develop new ways to measure “biological age” – how old our body truly is at a cellular level, which can differ from our chronological age (the number of years we’ve lived). This involves creating “biological clocks” tailored to the Indian population and even developing “organ-specific clocks” to assess the health of individual organs. Ultimately, this research will help identify early warning signs of age-related diseases, develop more accurate risk prediction tools, and pave the way for new diagnostic methods and treatments specifically designed for the Indian population.
Source: link to paper