The future of ancient DNA: Technical advances and conceptual shifts.

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  • Michael Hofreiter
    University of Potsdam
  • Johanna Paijmans
    University of Potsdam
  • Helen Goodchild
    University of York
  • Camilla F. Speller
    University of York
  • Axel Barlow
    University of Potsdam
  • Gloria G. Fortes
    University of Potsdam
  • Jessica A. Thomas
    University of York
  • Arne Ludwig
    Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research
  • Matthew J. Collins
    University of York
Technological innovations such as next generation sequencing and DNA hybridisation enrichment have resulted in multi-fold increases in both the quantity of ancient DNA sequence data and the time depth for DNA retrieval. To date, over 30 ancient genomes have been sequenced, moving from 0.7× coverage (mammoth) in 2008 to more than 50× coverage (Neanderthal) in 2014. Studies of rapid evolutionary changes, such as the evolution and spread of pathogens and the genetic responses of hosts, or the genetics of domestication and climatic adaptation, are developing swiftly and the importance of palaeogenomics for investigating evolutionary processes during the last million years is likely to increase considerably. However, these new datasets require new methods of data processing and analysis, as well as conceptual changes in interpreting the results. In this review we highlight important areas of future technical and conceptual progress and discuss research topics in the rapidly growing field of palaeogenomics.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)284-293
JournalBioEssays
Volume37
Early online date21 Nov 2014
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2015
Externally publishedYes
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