A groundbreaking paleogenomic analysis of human remains found in the Nallamala range has revealed the earliest known genetic markers for resistance to endemic hemorrhagic fever pathogens. The study, conducted by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), focused on skeletal remains dating back 11,000 years, providing a window into the evolutionary pressures faced by early Holocene foragers.
The research identifies a specific selection in the IFITM3 gene cluster, which is known to play a crucial role in defending against viral infections. This genetic adaptation suggests that early populations in the region were already interacting with and adapting to specific zoonotic diseases, likely transmitted through local wildlife and ticks in the dense forest ecosystems.