Redcliffe Labs launches GENEë- a unique platform that connects clinicians directly to genetic experts

Noida: Redcliffe Labs will now provide genetic counselling services from top experts, as it launches GENEë-To the Gene, the correct way a first-of-its-kind initiative that provides a common platform for all genetic needs for doctors and patients.

The launch also marked the inauguration of the North India’s first of its kind and most advanced genetics laboratory by Redcliffe Genetics (the specialized wing of Redcliffe Labs) in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. With easy access to DNA based diagnostics and genetic experts in combination to routine testing, Redcliffe Genetics aims at addressing the genetic burden of the country through a combination of access to genetic experts and best in class genetic testing.

GENEë is a platform comprising of a team of DM Geneticists from across India and senior board-certified counsellors. The platform will help bridge the gap between clinicians from every part of India and clinical geneticists for guidance on testing and training on genetics. For report guidance and support, GENEë will bring patients closer to a certified geneticist and a genetic counsellor. Geneticists shall be connected to clinicians to also conduct online and offline clinics pan India, a first of its kind initiative.

The other advantages of this platform include technical guidance by certified counsellors and geneticists with a technical team to clinicians. Furthermore, geneticists on the platform will also do online training with government and private institutes on fundamentals of genetics and genetic testing. Besides, it will create possibilities for geneticists from India to join the platform to support correct genetic testing for patients.

Some prominent personalities who attended the inauguration of North India’s first Genetics Lab by Redcliffe were Syed Zafar Islam- National Spokesperson, BJP and Dr.Bharat Bhushan, Deputy CMO, Gautam Buddh Nagar.

Commenting on the new state-of-the-art facility, Ishaan Khanna, Director – Reproductive Medicine & Genetics, Redcliffe Labs said, “We are happy to launch the first ever and most advanced genetics laboratory in North India in Noida. Rare diseases are estimated to impact about 6% to 8% of the population in any given country. Even a conservative estimate of the country’s population of 1.35 billion people results in a count of nearly 81 million people. Moreover, 70% of hereditary uncommon disorders manifest themselves in childhood. Besides, North India in particular is known to be very high in genetic disorders and is also characterised by consanguineous marriages, which increases the chance of rare diseases.”

Talking about the research aspect, Ashish Dubey, Director-Research, Redcliffe Labs stated, “The facility is equipped to offer high throughput Genomics research services and will revolutionise the Health and Population Genetics research in India by offering most comprehensive and end to end solutions to the researchers including Spatial genetics and Single cell genomics.”

Also, commenting on the launch of the new initiative GENEë- To the Gene, the correct way, a non-profit initiative by Redcliffe towards bridging the gap between clinicians and geneticists and helping diagnosis of patients and society, Dheeraj Jain, Founder, Redcliffe Labs, said, “Through its network of 700+ collection centres and 30+lab network across the country with both routine tests and  specialized diagnostics , Redcliffe Labs will be able to take this platform to even small cities and centres and provide clinicians access to geneticists. Doctors from other hospitals and cities can also be connected to the GENEê via WhatsApp.

Moreover, most hereditary illnesses cannot be cured, but they can be prevented. Hence, the objective of genetic counselling, also offered to people through this platform, is to educate them about the genetic disorders that run in their families. The family should be provided with correct information regarding the possibility of conceiving a child with a genetic disorder as well as a pregnancy test-based prenatal diagnosis. Genetic counselling is therefore urgently needed because it not only ultimately saves money but also lives.”

“India is dealing with a significant burden of genetic diseases, and ignorance is a significant barrier to early detection and prevention. Patients can get counselling about the condition if the issue is caught early. Additionally, by preventing the marriage of two people who are silent carriers of defective genes, genetic problems in offspring can be avoided.” said Sh. Syed Zafar Islam – National Spokesperson, BJP

“More diagnosis and treatment facilities need to be built by the private sector in order to improve care for people with these genetic diseases and make healthcare available to everyone. It’s encouraging to see Redcliffe Labs pursue this idea. It will undoubtedly serve as an example for others to follow.” Dr. Bharat Bhushan, Deputy CMO, Gautam Buddh Nagar

It is noteworthy to mention that Redcliffe Genetics is also the first in North India and among the few in the country to line up the most advanced and houses the most sophisticated sequencing systems like Novaseq 6000’ Sequencing System and Spatial Genomics, which are useful in the diagnosis of rare conditions in new-borns, infants and in prenatal settings. This makes Redcliffe Genetics, the only lab in North India enabled with the most advanced sequencing platforms, providing a comprehensive solution for all kinds of genetic diagnosis. This will also empower genomics research in India.

The new Redcliffe Genetics Lab is well equipped to perform different tests such as new-born screening, which is a simple screening test for infants done after 48 hours of birth to identify the risk of certain metabolic conditions before the appearance of clinical symptoms; Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening, which is a method to screen for certain chromosomal abnormalities in a fetus to help the parents make informed decisions about their pregnancy; Marker Screening, a biochemical test which is recommended during the 1st and 2nd trimesters of pregnancy; and it is used to determine if the growing baby has any increased risk of having a genetic condition.

The lab can also perform couple carrier screening, a genetic test to determine if a healthy person is a carrier of a recessive genetic disease, which can help a couple make informed decisions when planning a pregnancy. Each individual carries two copies of every gene. If there is a mutation in one of the copies of the gene, the individual is said to be a carrier of that disease.

Also, tests such as cytogenetics (Karyotype, FISH, Chromosomal Microarray) will help identify changes in the number and structure of the chromosomes that may give rise to certain genetic disorders or may even lead to recurrent pregnancy loss; and next generation sequencing will help identify any small variation (mutation) in the genes that may be responsible for causing a genetic condition or disorder.