Global map of ancient DNA research places the University of Ljubljana among the world's leading institutions

The University of Ljubljana's outstanding performance has been confirmed by a bibliometric analysis conducted by researchers from Fudan University in Shanghai. The study ranks the University of Ljubljana immediately behind the renowned Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany and the University of Copenhagen in Denmark.

A particularly prominent role is attributed to Dr. Irena Zupanič Pajnič, Senior Research Fellow and Associate Professor at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana. Her pioneering work on the analysis of degraded DNA from human skeletal remains and on transferring ancient DNA methodologies into forensic genetics has been instrumental in advancing molecular genetic approaches for human identification and in bridging forensic genetics with research on the human past. With 39 publications, the international study identifies her as the world's most prolific author in this field, placing her alongside leading international authorities such as Nobel Prize laureate Svante Pääbo, Eske Willerslev, and Johannes Krause. This remarkable achievement is further strengthened by productive interdisciplinary collaboration. The bibliometric analysis also highlights Dr. Tamara Leskovar, Assistant Professor at the Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana, as a leading researcher in the field. Through her expertise in bioarchaeology, she provides essential archaeological context that, when combined with genetic analyses, enables a more comprehensive understanding of the lives and communities of the past.

The analysis was published in the article Global Trends in DNA Research on Aged Human Skeletal Remains: A Bibliometric Analysis (1989–2024) by Luo J. and colleagues in the prestigious International Journal of Legal Medicine. The researchers examined 982 scientific publications on DNA research involving ancient human skeletal remains, 41 of which were authored by researchers from the University of Ljubljana. Their analysis assessed the world's leading researchers, research institutions, countries, and major scientific trends over a 35-year period.

Research on DNA recovered from human skeletal remains is invaluable to forensic science. It supports the identification of victims of armed conflicts, natural disasters, and missing persons, as well as the identification of historical individuals. Modern genetic analyses also provide profound insights into key aspects of past human lives, even when skeletal remains are extremely old, damaged, or poorly preserved. They enable researchers to reconstruct biological sex, family relationships, population history, migration patterns, and ancestry.

The Shanghai study clearly demonstrates that research on ancient human DNA is a highly interdisciplinary and international field.

The University of Ljubljana's recognition in this international bibliometric analysis is a strong indicator of the quality and global impact of its research at the intersection of the natural sciences, medicine, forensic science, and the humanities. It also underscores the importance of close interdisciplinary collaboration within the University itself. The partnership between the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Arts plays a pivotal role in developing innovative approaches to the study of human remains, cultural heritage, and the life stories of past populations.

By combining world-class expertise in forensic medicine with archaeological and humanities scholarship, the University of Ljubljana stands alongside the world's leading institutions in uncovering the stories preserved in human bones.