McMaster Ancient DNA News

Globe and Mail article on the successful DNA extraction from 8,000 year old Native remains in Texas.

Here we describe the use of 'CATS' (or 'EPIC') primers for the detection of novel SNPs in non-model mammals. We observed that PCR success was highest in samples closely related to model organisms for which primers were initially designed, but due to the large number of CATS-like primers this approach may yield sufficient SNP data for conservation genetic studies in nonmodel organisms.

Here we report 15 new single nucleotide polymorphism markers for the the threatened Chipanzee that span both Y chromosome and autosomal regions of the genome.

National Geographic News coverage on Hendrik Poinar's recent presentation at a chemistry conference in Chicago and the use of long-preserved DNA in resolving issues of human origins.

A review of recent claims about viable cells and microbial nucleic acids obtained from ice and permafrost hundreds to millions of years old. We also outline a set of precautions and controls to help ensure authenticity of future studies.

Here we report on the oldest known case of TB to be discovered in domestic dogs and highlight their role as potential reservoirs of TB in the Americas.

An analysis on the possible pitfalls 'numts' represent to mitochondrial DNA barcode data. We show that gorillas are particularly notable for possessing a variety of numt sequences bearing high similarity to authentic mtDNA.

Here we report a cross-species comparison of 10 X-chromosomal genes known to cause mental retardation in humans. Overall nucleotide diversity in these genes is lower both within and between species, suggesting a high level of purifying selection.

Here we summarize screening approaches that can identify well-preserved specimens for ancient DNA analysis.