Optimal Ancient DNA Yields from the Inner Ear Part of the Human Petrous Bone.

ABSTRACT: The invention and development of next or second generation sequencing methods has resulted in a dramatic transformation of ancient DNA research and allowed shotgun sequencing of entire genomes from fossil specimens. However, although there are exceptions, most fossil specimens contain only low (~ 1% or less) percentages of endogenous DNA. The only skeletal element for which a systematically higher endogenous DNA content compared to other skeletal elements has been shown is the petrous part of the temporal bone. In this study we investigate whether (a) different parts of the petrous bone of archaeological human specimens give different percentages of endogenous DNA yields, (b) there are significant differences in average DNA read lengths, damage patterns and total DNA concentration, and (c)

SUBMITTER: Pinhasi R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4472748 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature