Niraj Rai
Dr. Niraj Rai is an Indian molecular biologist working at CSIR- CCMB, Hyderabad, India. He obtained his PhD from CCMB in 2014 under supervision of Dr. K. Thangaraj of CCMB and Dr. Marta Mirazon Lahr of University of Cambridge. He was visiting research Fellow at University of Cambridge during 2008 to 2009 and trained in 3D morphometrics and ancient DNA technology. He is the first scientist who established ancient DNA research in India. For his contribution in a new and novel research, he received young scientist award from Indian Society of Human Genetics for the year of 2011. He is the first molecular biologist who has successfully extracted the DNA from Neolithic Hominid remains in INDIA.
He carried out ancient DNA analysis on remains of Queen of Georgia, Ketevan the Martyr human bone remains excavated from the St. Augustine convent by sequencing and genotyping of the Mitochondrial DNA. The investigations of the remains revealed an unusual mtDNA haplogroup U1b, which is absent in India, but present in Georgia and surrounding regions. Since the genetic analysis corroborates archaeological and literary evidence, it is likely that the excavated bone belongs to Queen of Georgia, Ketevan the Martyr.
He is the first researchers who scientifically linked the Roman trading in South West of India through ancient DNA analysis from skeletal remains found at Pattanam port, Kerala.
Furthermore, he showed that European Roma (Gypsy Population) are descendent from the Indian untouchable caste population.
Media coverage
The Hindu: Ancient bone relic in Goa church might be of Queen Ketevan of Georgia
The Hindu (Special correspondent): Bone relic in Goa church might be from Georgian Queen: DNA study
Indian Express: 400-year-old Bone Relic Found in Goa Might be of Georgian Queen's: CCMB
Business Line: Is the bone relic in Goan church that of Queen of Georgia?
The Statesman: Remains of Georgian queen in Goa
The Times of India: 10 years on, Old Goa relic traced to Queen Ketevan
Catholic Bishops conference of India: Is the bone relic in Goan church that of Queen of Georgia?
The Pioneer: Quantum leap in crime investigation
Past Horizons: Search for the relics of martyr Queen Ketevan
Tatkal News.com: Bone relic excavated from Goa likely to be of Georgian queen
Indian Today: Goa's georgian connection
World News.com: Ancient Bone Relic in Goa Church Might Be Of Queen Ketevan Of Georgia
Yahoo News: 'Lost' Remains of Martyred Georgian Queen Unearthed
The Times of India: Queen's relics in Old Goa can promote spiritual tourism
Live Sciences: Lost Remains of Martyred Georgian Queen Unearthed
He carried out ancient DNA analysis on remains of Queen of Georgia, Ketevan the Martyr human bone remains excavated from the St. Augustine convent by sequencing and genotyping of the Mitochondrial DNA. The investigations of the remains revealed an unusual mtDNA haplogroup U1b, which is absent in India, but present in Georgia and surrounding regions. Since the genetic analysis corroborates archaeological and literary evidence, it is likely that the excavated bone belongs to Queen of Georgia, Ketevan the Martyr.
He is the first researchers who scientifically linked the Roman trading in South West of India through ancient DNA analysis from skeletal remains found at Pattanam port, Kerala.
Furthermore, he showed that European Roma (Gypsy Population) are descendent from the Indian untouchable caste population.
Media coverage
The Hindu: Ancient bone relic in Goa church might be of Queen Ketevan of Georgia
The Hindu (Special correspondent): Bone relic in Goa church might be from Georgian Queen: DNA study
Indian Express: 400-year-old Bone Relic Found in Goa Might be of Georgian Queen's: CCMB
Business Line: Is the bone relic in Goan church that of Queen of Georgia?
The Statesman: Remains of Georgian queen in Goa
The Times of India: 10 years on, Old Goa relic traced to Queen Ketevan
Catholic Bishops conference of India: Is the bone relic in Goan church that of Queen of Georgia?
The Pioneer: Quantum leap in crime investigation
Past Horizons: Search for the relics of martyr Queen Ketevan
Tatkal News.com: Bone relic excavated from Goa likely to be of Georgian queen
Indian Today: Goa's georgian connection
World News.com: Ancient Bone Relic in Goa Church Might Be Of Queen Ketevan Of Georgia
Yahoo News: 'Lost' Remains of Martyred Georgian Queen Unearthed
The Times of India: Queen's relics in Old Goa can promote spiritual tourism
Live Sciences: Lost Remains of Martyred Georgian Queen Unearthed
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