National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS): Discovery of New Gut Bacteria and the Need for an India-Specific Microbiome Map
Why in News?
- Scientists at the National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune, have discovered 14 previously unknown bacterial species and nearly 200 undocumented microbial strains while studying the gut microbiomes of India’s tribal communities.
- The study, published in the journal Gut Microbes, highlights the immense unexplored microbial diversity in India and emphasizes the need for an India-specific microbiome database to improve healthcare, nutrition, and personalized medicine.
National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS)
- The National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) is an autonomous research institution under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.
- It was established to promote advanced research in cell biology and related life sciences and has emerged as one of India’s premier biotechnology research institutes.
- Located on the campus of Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, NCCS conducts cutting-edge research in cell biology, microbiology, cancer biology, immunology, stem cell biology, neurobiology, structural biology, bioinformatics, and omics sciences.
Origin and Evolution
The institute has evolved through several stages:
- 1986: Established as the National Tissue Culture Facility (NTCF).
- 1988: Upgraded to the National Facility for Animal Tissue and Cell Culture Collection (NFATCC).
- 1996: Renamed as the National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS).
Today, NCCS is recognized as one of India’s leading biotechnology research institutions.
Mandate of NCCS
NCCS has a three-fold national mandate:
1. National Cell Repository
- Maintains authenticated animal cell lines.
- Supplies quality-tested cell cultures to universities, research institutions, hospitals, and industries.
- Ensures standardized biological materials for scientific research.
2. Basic Research in Cell Biology
Conducts frontier research in:
- Cell Biology ,Cancer Biology,Stem Cell Biology, Neurobiology , Structural Biology , Bioinformatics , Omics Sciences , Immunology ,Infectious Diseases ,Microbiology ,
Its research addresses major health challenges such as:
- Cancer ,Infectious diseases ,Metabolic disorders ,Regenerative medicine ,Precision medicine .
3. Human Resource Development
NCCS trains researchers, students, and professionals through:
- PhD programmes
- Research fellowships
- Specialized workshops
- Skill development programmes
- National and international collaborations
National Cell Repository
One of NCCS’s major national responsibilities is maintaining the National Cell Repository, which:
- Preserves authenticated animal cell lines.
- Ensures quality control and genetic stability.
- Provides affordable cell cultures to Indian research institutions.
- Supports biomedical, pharmaceutical, and industrial research.
National Centre for Microbial Resource (NCMR)
NCCS also hosts the DBT-funded National Centre for Microbial Resource (NCMR).
Its major functions include:
- Collection of microbial cultures.
- Identification and characterization.
- Preservation of microorganisms.
- Distribution to researchers.
- Conservation of microbial biodiversity.
The microbial cultures are collected from various ecological regions of India, including forests, deserts, mountains, oceans, and agricultural ecosystems. Notably, NCCS possesses the third-largest microbial culture collection in the world, making it a globally significant repository for microbial biodiversity.
The NCCS Gut Microbiome Study
Background
Researchers from BRIC–National Centre for Cell Science carried out one of India’s most comprehensive studies on indigenous gut microbiomes. The objective was to understand how geography, food habits, ethnicity, and traditional lifestyles influence the human gut microbiome.
Major Findings
The study discovered:
- 14 entirely new bacterial species
- Nearly 200 previously undocumented microbial strains
These microbes had never been described in global microbiome databases.
The findings demonstrate that India possesses enormous unexplored microbial diversity.
Communities Studied
The study examined gut microbiomes from eight tribal communities representing diverse ecological zones.
These include:
- Western Coast :–Warli
- Deccan Plateau :-Gond ,Madia .
- North-East Hills :–Kabui (Rongmei Naga)
- Trans-Himalayan Region :–Boto, Balti ,Brokpa ,Purigpa .
These communities differ significantly in terms of: Geography ,Climate ,Food habits ,Lifestyle ,Cultural traditions making them ideal for studying microbial diversity.
What is the Gut Microbiome?
The gut microbiome refers to the collection of microorganisms—including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and archaea—that inhabit the human digestive tract.
These microorganisms perform several essential functions:
- Digest complex food.
- Produce vitamins.
- Regulate metabolism.
- Strengthen immunity.
- Protect against disease-causing microbes.
- Maintain intestinal health.
- Influence brain function through the gut-brain axis.
Every individual’s microbiome is unique. Its composition depends upon:
- Diet,Geography ,Medicines ,Environment ,Lifestyle ,Cultural practices ,Genetics .
Key Scientific Observations
No Universal Healthy Gut Microbiome
One of the most important conclusions of the study is that there is no universal blueprint for a healthy gut microbiome.
Instead, healthy gut microbes vary across populations depending upon:
- Food habits
- Local environment
- Geography
- Evolutionary adaptation
- Traditional lifestyles
This challenges the long-held assumption that Western microbiome profiles represent the global standard.
Shared Core Microbial Groups
Despite regional diversity, all eight tribal communities possessed three dominant bacterial genera:
- Segatella
- Agathobacter
- Faecalibacterium
These bacteria appear to form the core of a healthy Indian gut microbiome.
Distinct Indian Genetic Lineages
Although Segatella was common across all communities, Indian strains belonged to unique genetic lineages absent from most European and North American microbiome databases.
This indicates that Indian microbial populations have evolved independently under local ecological conditions.
Diet Shapes the Gut Microbiome
The study found that diet leaves a strong microbial signature. The greatest microbial diversity was observed among the Trans-Himalayan communities, whose traditional diets include:
-
Milk ,Homemade butter ,Wheat ,Barley ,Rice ,Leafy vegetables ,Tubers ,Fruits ,Wild berries .
These populations showed:
- Greater microbial diversity.
- Higher abundance of Bifidobacterium.
- Enhanced genes involved in digesting:
- Lactose
- Galactose
- Grain-derived carbohydrates
These findings suggest that gut microbes gradually adapt to traditional diets over generations. However, researchers emphasize that the study establishes strong associations rather than proving direct causation.
Implications for Probiotics
A significant finding relates to Bifidobacterium adolescentis, one of the most widely used probiotic bacteria. Researchers found that Indian strains differ genetically from strains commonly used in industrialized countries.
These Indian strains possess:
- Different carbohydrate-processing enzymes.
- Adaptations to Indian dietary patterns.
The findings suggest:
- Imported probiotics may not always be equally effective for Indian populations.
- Future probiotic development should consider local microbial diversity.
- Population-specific clinical evaluation is essential before recommending probiotics.
Importantly, the study does not conclude that imported probiotics are ineffective or that Indian strains are inherently superior.
Why India Needs Its Own Microbiome Map
The study strongly advocates creating a National Indian Microbiome Database.
Such a database would:
- Document India’s microbial diversity.
- Establish population-specific healthy microbiome references.
- Improve nutrition research.
- Support personalized medicine.
- Help understand metabolic diseases.
- Enable development of indigenous probiotics.
- Improve dietary recommendations.
- Strengthen precision healthcare.
- Reduce dependence on Western microbiome databases.
Significance for Public Health
An India-specific microbiome map could contribute to:
- Better management of obesity.
- Diabetes prevention.
- Gastrointestinal disease treatment.
- Improved immune health.
- Personalized nutrition.
- Precision medicine.
- Indigenous probiotic development.
- Public health policy formulation.
Challenges
Several challenges remain:
- Large portions of India’s microbial diversity remain unexplored.
- Limited microbiome data from rural and tribal populations.
- Lack of long-term cohort studies.
- Need for standardized microbial sequencing protocols.
- High cost of advanced genomic technologies.
- Limited awareness regarding microbiome-based healthcare.
Way Forward
India should:
- Develop a National Microbiome Mission.
- Build a comprehensive Indian microbiome database.
- Increase research on tribal and rural populations.
- Promote indigenous probiotic development.
- Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration among microbiologists, clinicians, nutritionists, and bioinformaticians.
- Integrate microbiome research with precision medicine initiatives.
- Expand genomic and metagenomic research infrastructure.
- Promote public awareness regarding gut health.
Conclusion
- The NCCS study represents a landmark achievement in Indian microbiome research by uncovering 14 new bacterial species and nearly 200 previously undocumented microbial strains.
- It demonstrates that the composition of a healthy gut microbiome is profoundly influenced by geography, diet, lifestyle, and cultural practices rather than following a universal standard.
- The findings underscore the urgent need for an India-specific microbiome map, which can transform nutrition science, personalized medicine, disease prevention, and the development of indigenous probiotics. For India, this research opens a new frontier in biotechnology, public health, and precision healthcare while reinforcing the importance of conserving the country’s unique microbial biodiversity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS)?
Answer: The National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) is an autonomous institute under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. Located in Pune, it conducts advanced research in cell biology, microbiology, cancer biology, stem cell biology, immunology, and bioinformatics.
Q2. Why was NCCS in the news?
Answer: NCCS scientists discovered 14 previously unknown bacterial species and nearly 200 undocumented microbial strains while studying the gut microbiomes of India’s tribal communities. The study highlighted the need for an India-specific microbiome database.
Q3. What is the gut microbiome?
Answer: The gut microbiome is the community of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microorganisms living in the human intestine. These microbes help digest food, regulate the immune system, produce essential nutrients, and protect against harmful pathogens.
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