To clone or not to clone: method analysis for retrieving consensus sequences in ancient DNA samples.

ABSTRACT: The challenges associated with the retrieval and authentication of ancient DNA (aDNA) evidence are principally due to post-mortem damage which makes ancient samples particularly prone to contamination from "modern" DNA sources. The necessity for authentication of results has led many aDNA researchers to adopt methods considered to be "gold standards" in the field, including cloning aDNA amplicons as opposed to directly sequencing them. However, no standardized protocol has emerged regarding the necessary number of clones to sequence, how a consensus sequence is most appropriately derived, or how results should be reported in the literature. In addition, there has been no systematic demonstration of the degree to which direct sequences are affected by damage or whether direct sequencing wou

SUBMITTER: Winters M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3124491 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature