Genome sequencing and mapping is unearthing new knowledge about the origin of humans and human civilisation. More than that, genome analysis is also yielding new insights about human health, and will be vital for medicines of the 21st century.

It is time to talk about the many Indian genomes, and the great genetic diversity of Indians, 28 years after the Human Genome Project was launched. Since this episode was first aired in September 2018, there has been fascinating new research expanding our understanding of how humans populated India and South Asia. Most recently, the first ancient genome from the Indus Valley Civlisation was analysed and reported in the journal Cell.

Dr Kumarasamy Thangaraj joins Pavan Srinath and guest host Dr Shambhavi Naik on Episode 61 of the Pragati Podcast to talk about genes, history and health challenges in India.

Dr Thangaraj is a renowned scientist working at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, CCMB, Hyderabad. He has published extensively on the origin of humans, on genetics and disease and how they affect the lives of Indians. If you have any questions or comments on the episode, write in to [email protected]. You can also ask the hosts anything on twitter at @zeusisdead.

Read his latest research publications, including on ancient DNA from the Indus Valley Civilisation, on Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=AYZNs9wAAAAJ&hl=en

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