BHU, CCMB conduct a study on maternal ancestry in Nepal

NEW DELHI: An international team of researchers from Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi conducted a study on maternal ancestry of Nepal populations. The research study was published in the Human Genetics Journal on October 15, 2022.

Despite the long-term cultural and economic impact of the Himalayan trade route, little is known about the early population of the region. This study on the Nepali ancestry included analysis of the mitochondrial DNA sequence of 999 people belonging to different ethnic population from Newar, Magar, Sherpa, Brahmin, Tharu, Tamang, and populations from Kathmandu and Eastern Nepal. It was found that most Nepali population derived their maternal ancestry from the lowland populations than the highlanders.

It is said that India's ties with Nepal and Tibet reflects in their genomic ancestry. The results from the study helped researchers fill several critical gaps in the history and demographic events that shaped the Nepalese genetic diversity. Using history, archaeological and genetic information, this study has helped researchers in understanding the population history of Tibeto-Burman communities of Nepal. “Tibeto-Burman communities like Newar and Magar revealed distinct population history than contemporary high-altitude Tibetans and Sherpas." said Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, department of science and technology, Niraj Rai.

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The first author of the study from Tribhuvan University, Rajdip Basnet, said: “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,”

The director of CSIR- CCMB, Vinay K Nandicoori said: "Such a study is helpful for establishing the genetic affinities of populations across our border and for better understanding of early human migration,”.