Maximizing efficiency in sedimentary ancient DNA analysis: a novel extract pooling approach.

ABSTRACT: In the last few decades, the field of ancient DNA has taken a new direction towards using sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) for studying human and mammalian population dynamics as well as past ecosystems. However, the screening of numerous sediment samples from archaeological sites remains a time-consuming and costly endeavor, particularly when targeting hominin DNA. Here, we present a novel high-throughput method that facilitates the fast and efficient analysis of sediment samples by applying a pooled testing approach. This method combines multiple extracts, enabling early parallelization of laboratory procedures and effective aDNA screening. Pooled samples with detectable aDNA signals undergo detailed analysis, while empty pools are discarded. We have successfully applied our method to m

SUBMITTER: Oberreiter V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11339378 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature