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The Avestagenome Project has been making steady progress towards its goal of discovery of the basis of longevity among Parsis. The study is also leading to the uncovering of novel biomarkers that would help in early diagnosis and prevention of diseases in future generations besides drug targets for age related diseases.

Since its launch in October 2007 we have collected over 4,200 blood samples from seven cities and have started gathering blood samples in Bombay. The samples are now archived and being processed for further analysis. The data generated is deposited in a secure, central repository in the Bioinformatics division. In addition, the Avestagenome Annotation Database (AGAD) has been created. 

An additional aspect of the Avestagenome Project is the isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from all individuals. These cells, or a sub-population thereof, will be used for generating cell-lines from a cohort (group of matching subjects) with a specific trait to determine the efficacy and contra indications of new drugs. These cells may also be transformed using superior technology to generate a particular cell type in the treatment of diseases. For example, beta-cells that synthesize and secrete insulin may be generated from the patient’s own cells to replace those destroyed during disease. Other cell types can also be generated that may be useful for treating rare diseases for which treatments do not exist.

Sample analysis from participants during the blood collection indicated a substantial presence of type II diabetes. Hence a cohort for type II diabetes has been assembled from the samples in the Avestagenome Project database. The objective is to obtain novel biomarkers for type II diabetes that can be used for predictive diagnosis of the disease and identification of novel drug targets.

The Parsis have a greater propensity for certain diseases compared to the Indian population, according to the findings by Dr Nadir E. Bharucha et al who reported that the frequency of strokes is 4.5 times higher and Parkinson’s disease 17 times more in the community. The incidence of some cancers is higher in Parsis too, eg breast cancer in women is 20 percent and prostate cancer in men is five percent according to the Bombay Cancer Registry, 2004. In view of the above a pilot study on breast cancer using the blood samples collected from a mammography camp in one of the cities was initiated. The study cohort included age-matched controls whose blood samples were analyzed. Analysis of the DNA samples has shown that Parsis are a distinct group and closer to the European population when compared to other major populations.

Sociological aspect

From a sociological point of view the data gathered from the study shows a trend in the growth of small enterprises among the younger Parsi men, while the middle-aged men and women are increasingly involved in cottage industries (domestic production of artefacts or consumables) and in giving home tuitions in the smaller cities and the semi-urban areas of Gujarat. The young men prefer to be economically independent at an early age rather than spend long years pursuing higher academics. Matriculation as a basic education level has been achieved in these areas and a short certificate course in electrical or mechanical engineering or in computers is the order of the day. They have established travel agencies, electrical shops where electrical contracts are also undertaken, retail shops and photocopying booths, bakeries and small catering establishments. Young women in these areas, however, are interested in academic pursuits, an accomplishment that they hope will help them secure employment in the bigger cities or perhaps enhance their matrimonial prospects. 

The emphasis on technical education, information technology, commerce and business studies and the creative arts is dominant in larger cities. Entrepreneurial ventures would include restaurants, construction contracts, manufacturing and retailing units. Not many members of the younger generation opt for medical studies, civil engineering, legal studies or enrolment in the defence services. A large proportion of young Parsi ladies are pursuing biotechnology, commerce and business studies, and information technology. 

Interviews reveal that finding life partners from within the community in the smaller cities is proving to be a difficult proposition as the girls are only interested in entertaining proposals from young men who are as qualified if not better qualified than themselves. They would also like to move out of the semi urban or small city scenario and prefer partners from the bigger metropolitan cities. Once married, domestic duties are shared equally between husbands and wives, although the task of supervising the academic progress of the child falls mostly on the mother.

As a larger canvas is accessed many more layers of the social and cultural constitution of the modern Parsi community will be better understood and steps could be initiated to address the problems faced by them. Further, the knowledge gleaned from this study and the diagnostic techniques and new drug therapies that will evolve from it will be of universal value. At the same time, lifestyles and anecdotes of the ordinary and the not-so-ordinary will also find permanency in the annals of this unique community.

Dr Villoo Morawala-Patell, founder chairperson and managing director of Avesthagen Limited which is a leading life sciences company of India, is determined to provide better medical care through the Avestagenome Project.