GMC Jammu starts Cancer Genetic Testing on New Generation Gene Sequencing

JAMMU, 6 March 2024: Under the patronage and able guidance of Administrative Secretary H&ME, Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah (IAS), the Department of Microbiology, GMC Jammu has successfully started genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations on cutting-edge Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology at Maternity Hospital Gandhi Nagar Jammu.

As a capacity building in genetic sequencing and to provide the most advanced technology in diagnostics as well as research, NGS was started in oncogenetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes targeting harmful mutations that predispose individuals, or their relatives, to cancer. Having a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes can increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer, by the age of 70, to between 65-85% for BRCA1 mutations and between 40-85% for BRCA2.

Positive BRCA1 or BRCA2 results allow women to make a choice well in advance about available options that could potentially reduce their risk of developing breast cancer well in advance. The department will gradually add Human Papiloma virus NGS testing in second phase.

With this dynamic achievement under the fast-track administrative support of Principal & Dean, Dr Ashutosh Gupta, the Department of Microbiology, GMC Jammu with faculty and scientists trained in Bioinformatics & NGS becomes first-ever Govt. institution in J&K to start NGS diagnostic testing in the health care sector.

JKMSCL had provided NGS Machines in the COVID Period when Dr Yashpal Sharma was the MD JKMSCL.

Dr Sandeep Dogra HOD Dept of Microbiology GMC Jammu was present along with Dr Arun Sharma Medical Superintendent Maternity Hospital Gandhinagar Jammu on the day of its initiation.