17th October, 2022: Being at the crossroad of the Himalayan region, Nepal offers a unique ground to understand South and East Asian genetic ancestry. The Himalayan Mountains range of Nepal has served as a geographical barrier to population migration, while at the same time, its valleys have served as continuous trade and exchange. Yet, despite the long-term economic and cultural importance of Himalayan trade routes, little is known about peopling and the early population history of this region. An international team of researchers led by Dr. K Thangaraj, CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, India, have studied the maternal ancestry of Nepal populations, and the results were published on 15th October 2022 in the journal Human Genetics.

“This is the first largest study on the Nepali populations, where we have analyzed the mitochondrial DNA sequence of 999 individuals from different ethnic groups of Nepal, including Newar, Magar, Sherpa, Brahmin, Tharu, Tamang, and populations from Kathmandu and Eastern Nepal and found that most Nepali populations have derived their maternal ancestry from the lowland populations than the highlanders,” said Dr. K Thangaraj, who is presently the director of DBT-Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad

The results obtained from this study helped the researchers in filling several critical gaps about the history and past demographic events that shaped the present Nepalese genetic diversity. “Our study showed that the ancient genetic make-up of Nepalis was gradually transformed by various mixing episodes along the migratory path to Nepal; the carriers of some mitochondrial lineages may have crossed the Himalayas into Nepal, most likely via Southeast Tibet, between 3.8 and 6 thousand years ago,” said Rajdip Basnet, the first author of the study from Tribhuvan University, Nepal.

“Tibeto-Burman communities like Newar and Magar revealed distinct population history than contemporary high-altitude Tibetans/Sherpas. This study using history, archaeological and genetic information has helped us in understanding the population history of Tibeto-Burman communities of Nepal,” said Dr. Niraj Rai, one of the authors from DST- Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow.

“The cultural ties of Nepal with India and Tibet reflected in their genomic ancestry,” said Gyaneshwer Chaubey, a Professor from Banaras Hindu University and co-author of the study. “Such a study is helpful for establishing the genetic affinities of populations across our border and for better understanding of early human migration,” said Dr. Vinay K Nandicoori, the director of CSIR- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology.
Contact: K. Thangaraj (9908213822)

The maternal DNA of the people of Nepal is linked to India and Tatbhag.

Being an important part of the Himalayan region, Nepal can provide friendly and informative information on conservation and the DNA of the people of Peru and Asia. The Himalayan mountain range of Nepal has served as a barrier for human migraine, while at the same time, its valleys have served to connect people in the form of small businesses. Despite the economic and cultural friendliness of this ancient Himalayan trade route, little is known about the DNA and migraine of the people of this region. An international team of researchers led by Dr. K. Thaghraj from CSIR Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, India studied the population pattern of Nepal and the findings of the judges have been published in the journal Human Genetics on 15th October 2022. .

This is the largest study on the Nepalese people, which analysed the mycogenial DNA sequences of 999 individuals from various ethnic groups of Nepal, including Ner, Magar, Terpa, Brahman, Tharu, Tamrang and Kathmandu and the population of eastern Nepal. And found that half of the Nepalese population derived their ancestry from the Terai population in the foothills of the Himalayas, “said Dr. K. Thungaraj, who is currently the Director of DB-Centre for DNA Configuration and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad.

The learnings from this study helped the researchers to find out many nefarious activities about the past and the demographic heinous acts of the past The judge created the Nepalese honorific order of merit. “Our study showed that the ancient non-genetic DNA of the Nepalese was gradually replaced by the age-old cremated remains; At the same time, there is evidence of 3.8-6 -year-old people crossing the Himalayas via Dakshinakshanpur and Natabat, “said Rajdeep Basne, co-author of the study from the Tratabharun University, Nepal.

“There is a lot of variation on the basis of DNA from traits / traits that depend on the height of natibeto-bamanava communities like Nerar and Magar. Using information from history, archaeology and other disciplines, this study has helped me understand the demography of the Ndebeto-Bamanwa communities of Nepal. ‘

Gyanesh Choubey, Professor at Banaras Hindu University and co-author of the study, said, “Along with India and Nepal, the cultural heritage of Nepal is also deeply rooted in their ancestral heritage. ”

Dr. K. Nadi Kuri, Director, CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, said, “This type of study is useful for a better understanding of primary mental migraine and the establishment of chain similarities across populations. “