Cancer is one of the most fatal health problems globally. A recent Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) report indicated that number of people living with this deadly disease continues to rise, say sources from IIT Madras.

There is a 12.8% increase in cancer incidence every year since 2022, say sources from IIT Madras.

In the absence of genomic architecture of cancers prevalent in India, specific genetic variants from Indian cancers are not adequately captured and catalogued for any diagnostic kits and drug development, say sources from IIT Madras.

Gap

In order to fill the gap in genomic landscape for different cancers in India, IIT Madras initiated the cancer genome program in 2020.

Under this program, the 960 whole exome sequencing from 480 breast cancer patient tissue samples collected across the country has been completed.

Collaboration

IIT Madras in collaboration with Karkinos Healthcare, Mumbai, the Chennai Breast Clinic and Cancer Research and Relief Trust, Chennai analysed the data and assembled the anonymized summary of genetic variants from Indian breast cancer samples.

This assumes significance in the wake of World Cancer Day falling tomorrow (4th Feb 2025).

Accessible

The institute has made this database publicly accessible at bcga.iitm.ac.in to researchers and clinicians in India and abroad.

Benefits

Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said true to ‘IITM for All’ commitment to society, they are releasing yet another health related data, the second this academic year, the Cancer Genome data after the Brain Data.

We hope that this will provide deep insights on reasons leading to this deadly disease and help preventing the same with early interventions, he said.

The Atlas fills the gap in genomic landscape from different cancers in the country, he said.

It provides a compendium of genetic variants representing the contemporary Indian breast cancer population to classify variants involved in early diagnostics, disease progression, and treatment outcomes, said IIT Madras director.

Research

The Research was led by the Institute’s Centre of Excellence on Cancer Genomics and Molecular Therapeutics, which was funded under the Government of India’s ‘Institutions of Eminence’ initiative.

Resource

Project Coordinator Prof. S. Mahalingam, Head, Centre of Excellence on Cancer Genomics and Molecular Therapeutics, IIT Madras, said this database will be an invaluable resource to identify cancer-specific biomarkers in India, which will enable early detection of breast cancers.

Further, it will also be very useful to identify novel drug targets for developing better treatment strategies specific to the Indian population, he said.

He further said BCGA also aims to host data from researchers working on cancer genomics across cancer types and would be open to accepting submissions.

The data will be utilized towards identifying biomarkers to identify high-risk groups, monitor cancer progression, design strategies for personalized treatment and understand treatment outcomes, he said.

Analysis

The analysis was performed under the aegis of National Center for Precision Medicine in Cancer, an initiative between IIT Madras and Karkinos Healthcare to accelerate interdisciplinary research and development of affordable cancer care solutions.

Acknowledgement

The Institute acknowledges the support from Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, for the Cancer Tissue Biobank facility at IIT Madras.

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While this is for the first session of the test, candidates can apply for the second session also till 18 April 2025.

They can also choose to apply exclusively for second session later. BITSAT 2024 registration process for the second test will be open from 26 May to 10 June, 2025.

This is the test to be taken for those who wish to join graduation courses in BITS (Birla Institute of Technology and Science) which has campuses in Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Dubai.

BITSAT 2025 registration is now open for the first test session, candidates can apply for second session also now.

BITSAT 2024 registration process for the second test will be open from 26 May to 10 June, 2025. There is more to it than meets the eye.

Students have two options now, they can apply to write the test in the first session, those who wish to attempt the exam later, can submit BITSAT 2025 registration for the second session.

What is BITSAT 2025?

The full name of Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test. It is popularly known in its shorter form BITSAT.

This is an institutional-level entrance test that is conducted twice a year. BITSAT 2025 is meant to be conducted this year. The first session is to happen from 26 May 2025 to 30 May 2025.

Second session of BITSAT 2025 will take place from 22nd June 2025 to 26th June 2025. It will be conducted online where answers have to be marked on a computer screen.

The format of questions is multiple choice, where each question will have more than one option and the right one has to be chosen to get the marks.

BITSAT will have questions related to Maths/Biology, Physics, English Proficiency, Logical Reasoning, Physics and Chemistry.

The applicants must study plus two from a recognized educational institution. Students focused on pharmacy courses must pass plus two with biology, physics and chemistry.

Those aiming for engineering courses have to study plus two with maths, physics and chemistry.

How to undertake BITSAT 2025 registration?

The process to take up BITSAT 2025 registration is online. Candidates have to visit the official website of the exam to submit applications.

The URL to reach the official website is ‘https://bitsadmission.com/’ The process is mentioned below:

1.The URL mentioned above has to be typed into the browser of the computer and submitted to allow the website to download.

2. Once the website is ready, candidates can scroll down the page and click the button BITSAT-2025: Click here to apply for BITSAT-2025

3. Clicking the above button will open another webpage with URL ‘https://cdn3.digialm.com/EForms/configuredHtml/1823/92362/Index.html?_gl=1*1ay7xdy*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NDA2NjAyNDEuQ2p3S0NBaUF0NEMtQmhCY0Vpd0E4S3AwQ1J1MkVuRXVyRGw4NVJRRkVfTlBVRmo4R3JNRThsWTNnQ1RjcTJlMU1BTlgyM01hMXpPZWtob0NDQ2NRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*MTY3MDY1ODYzMC4xNzQwNjMwMjk0*_ga*MzE4NjUyODMuMTc0MDYzMDI5NA..*_ga_DYQ0HEBE5Z*MTc0MDY2MDI0MS4yLjEuMTc0MDY2MTEwNC42MC4wLjEwODQyNDkzMjU.’

4. Once the webpage with above URL opens, they can click the link for registration and create an account.

5. After creating an account, they can login and start BITSAT 2025 registration for the exam.

6. The registration fee has to be paid and then BITSAT 2025 registration form has to be submitted.

Link to submit BITSAT 2025 registration is here

How to download the hall ticket

Students who have successfully completed the process of submitting BITSAT 2025 registration alone can download hall tickets.

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The process to download admit cards is online, candidates have to visit the official website. The URL to access the official website is ‘https://www.bitsadmission.com/’

The same for the second session are to be available for download from 20th June, 2025 to till the exam date.

The tests must be passed with the required qualifying marks for the next process which involves counselling and document verification.

Those who get a seat in the course of their choice can convey their acceptance and pay the fees and join the classes.

Details about the admission procedure, courses offered and facilities provided can be obtained from the official website.

The institution has created a space for itself on the field of higher learning.