GNDU scientists research on genetic diversity in Punjab

Amritsar, June 24

The Department of Human genetics of Guru Nanak Dev University on Tuesday conducted a research on the subject of “genetic diversity in Punjab’s population and susceptibility of cancer and other diseases due to exposure to agriculture chemicals”.

The research was overseen by Prof (Dr) AJS Bhanwer and Dr Kawaljit Kaur. The findings of the study revealed genetic proximity among different endogamous groups of the state. The origination of an ancestral state Y-HG Q (Y-chromosomal haplogroup) was suggested to originate only in Asia. The scientists claimed that the studies of these ethnic groups showed some markers from MHC class 1 genomic region linked with immune response systems that were non-existent in other Indian population.

Apart from this, in a study by Prof Vasudha Sambyal and Dr Kamlesh Guleria, an association with increased and decreased risk of “breast and esophagel cancer” of 42 inherited variants in 16 cancer susceptibility genes involved in hypoxia, angiogenesis, DNA repair and inflammatory pathways, was reported. Five novel variants in VEGFA gene (Vascular endothelial growth factor is a signal protein produced by cells that stimulates the formation of blood vessels), reported for first time in India, have been included in the international data base of NCBI, National Institutes of Health (NIH), USA. — TNS

Key findings

• The findings of the study revealed genetic proximity among different endogamous groups of the state. The origination of an ancestral state Y-HG Q (Y-chromosomal haplogroup) was suggested to originate only in Asia
• The scientists claimed that the studies of these ethnic groups showed some markers from MHC class 1 genomic region linked with immune response systems that were non-existent in other Indian population
• Other experimental studies also revealed that even non-toxic levels of agricultural chemicals disrupt cellular functions and affect bone quality