The University of Chicago Clean Laboratory is a specialized scientific facility on the university's Hyde Park campus in Chicago, Illinois, designed to minimize environmental contamination during sensitive analytical work such as ancient DNA extraction. Clean rooms like this one maintain rigorous contamination controls — including sterile gloves, masks, hairnets, and protective coverings — to prevent modern human DNA from compromising fragile ancient genetic material. Gates visited the facility during a Season 15 investigation into the authenticity of a bone relic purported to belong to Saint Nicholas, held by a suburban Chicago church. Working alongside Dr. Georges Kazan and Professor Tom Higham of the University of Vienna, Gates participated in the careful collection of a physical sample from the relic, which was subsequently sent to Vienna for ancient DNA sequencing. The episode frames the clean room not as a destination in itself, but as a critical procedural step in what may be one of the more scientifically rigorous relic-authentication efforts ever filmed for television.
Saint Nicholas of Myra reportedly lived; bones later venerated as relics across Europe and beyond
According to historical tradition, relics attributed to Saint Nicholas were transported from Myra to Bari, Italy, where they are still venerated at the Basilica di San Nicola
Gates films at the University of Chicago Clean Laboratory alongside Dr. Georges Kazan and Professor Tom Higham during the Expedition Unknown Season 15 investigation into a Saint Nicholas bone relic
Professor Tom Higham of the University of Vienna, one of the world's leading specialists in radiocarbon dating and ancient DNA analysis, joined the episode as the scientific authority guiding the sampling process. Higham noted on camera that advances in ancient DNA science over recent years have made it increasingly possible to extract usable genetic material from very old bone samples, though success depends heavily on preservation conditions and how much viable DNA survives. His colleague Dr. Georges Kazan also appeared on site, framing the genetic testing as a means to 'validate further' the relic's potential connection to Saint Nicholas.
Ancient DNA analysis has indeed undergone a remarkable transformation since the 1980s, when the first DNA was extracted from preserved specimens. Modern techniques — particularly improvements in sequencing technology and contamination control — have allowed researchers to recover genetic information from skeletal remains thousands of years old. The strict protocols observed in the University of Chicago clean room, including sterilized equipment and full protective gear, reflect the real-world standards the field demands to prevent modern DNA from swamping any ancient signal.
The broader question of Saint Nicholas relic authenticity is genuinely contested in mainstream historical and religious scholarship. Relics attributed to the saint are distributed across multiple sites in Europe, and the historical record of their provenance is complex. Scientific testing — including radiocarbon dating and DNA analysis — has been applied to some purported Nicholas relics in recent years, though no consensus has been reached about any single relic's authenticity. Gates' episode is careful not to overclaim, with both Higham and Kazan framing their work as an attempt to gather evidence rather than deliver a verdict.
The University of Chicago Clean Laboratory segment is ultimately a procedural milestone rather than a revelatory finding — a behind-the-scenes look at how modern science is brought to bear on ancient mysteries. The episode honestly acknowledges that the DNA results were not yet available at the time of filming, leaving the central question — could this bone belong to the historical Saint Nicholas? — unresolved. That intellectual honesty is characteristic of how Gates approaches investigations: the process of inquiry is documented faithfully, even when the answer remains out of reach.
Ancient DNA can sometimes be extracted from bones that are thousands of years old, though the success rate depends heavily on how well the specimen was preserved over time.
Clean rooms used for ancient DNA work require researchers to wear full protective gear — including sterilized gloves layered over regular gloves — to prevent contamination from modern human DNA, which would otherwise overwhelm any ancient genetic signal.
According to historical tradition, a mysterious liquid called 'manna' is said to exude from the bones of Saint Nicholas held in Bari, Italy, and has been venerated by pilgrims since at least the medieval period.
Professor Tom Higham, who appears in the episode, is known in the scientific community for his work in high-precision radiocarbon dating, including studies of Neanderthal and early modern human remains.
The University of Chicago's Hyde Park campus is generally open to visitors and is accessible via Chicago's public transit system. The Clean Laboratory itself is an active research facility and is not typically open to general public tours — visitors interested in the university should check the school's official visitor resources for campus tour options.
Chicago, Illinois — the laboratory is located on the University of Chicago's main campus in the Hyde Park neighborhood, roughly 7 miles south of downtown Chicago.
Chicago's campus is most pleasant in late spring or early fall, when weather is mild. Summer visits coincide with fewer student crowds, while winter can bring significant cold and snow.
Church of San Nicolò al Lido, Venice
The Church of San Nicolò al Lido in Venice is directly connected to the Saint Nicholas relic investigation — it is one of the European sites associated with relics attributed to Saint Nicholas that Gates explored in the same broader inquiry.
Capernaum
Capernaum appears in Gates' Holy Land investigations, reflecting his recurring interest in using modern science and archaeology to examine the physical evidence surrounding major religious figures.
Rome
Rome features in multiple Expedition Unknown episodes touching on early Christian history and relic traditions, providing relevant historical context for the Saint Nicholas authentication effort.