DBGENVOC: FIRST DATABASE OF GENOMIC VARIANTS OF ORAL CANCER
- DBT-National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG), Kalyani an Autonomous Institute funded by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India has created a database of genomic variations in oral cancer; the first of its kind in the world. NIBMG has made this database publicly-accessible.
- dbGENVOC is a browsable online database of Genomic Variants of Oral Cancer and is a free resource.
- dbGENVOC is not just a catalogue of genomic variants, it has a built-in powerful search engine.
- It also allows a reasonable extent of statistical and bioinformatic analysis to be carried out online, including identifying variants in associated altered pathways in oral cancer.
ORAL CANCER
- Oral cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer among men in India, largely fuelled by tobacco-chewing.
- Tobacco-chewing causes changes in the genetic material of cells in the oral cavity.
- These changes (mutations) precipitate oral cancer. Research to identify those genetic mutations that drive oral cancer are ongoing. Such driver mutations may be variable across populations.