| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Launch of BIRSA 101, India's first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). |
| Launched by | Minister of Science & Technology. |
| Named after | Birsa Munda (on his 150th birth anniversary, 15th November 2025). |
| Developed by | CSIR-IGIB (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research - Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology). |
| Technology Transfer | Transferred to Serum Institute of India for rapid commercialization. |
| Objective | Supports India's "Sickle-Cell-Free Nation" initiative, benefiting tribal communities in central and eastern India. |
| CRISPR-Cas9 | Gene-editing tool acting as molecular scissors, enabling precise, efficient, low-cost genome editing. |
| CRISPR Pioneers | Jennifer Doudna & Emmanuelle Charpentier (2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry). |
| Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) | Autosomal recessive disorder caused by HBB gene mutation, leading to abnormal Hemoglobin-S, causing anemia, pain crises, infections, and organ damage. |
| SCD Prevalence | High in tribal communities of central and eastern India. |
| Current Treatments | Hydroxyurea, blood transfusions, stem-cell transplant. |
| National Mission | Part of National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission (2023-2047). |
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