Research Projects

Exploring The Genetic Past Through Cutting-Edge Research

From uncovering the health secrets of mummified remains to tracing the evolutionary journeys of viruses, bacteria, and extinct megafauna, the McMaster Ancient DNA Centre is pushing the boundaries of genetic discovery. By analyzing preserved specimens and fossilized DNA, researchers are reconstructing disease histories, environmental shifts, and species adaptations across centuries and millennia.

Dive into our diverse research projects below and explore how ancient DNA is rewriting the story of health, evolution, and ecosystems.

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HIV: Origins & Evolution Learn more

Investigating the origins and evolution of HIV-1, this project reconstructs ancestral strains to uncover how the virus crossed into human populations and continues to evolve.

Black Death (Yersinia pestis) Genomics Learn more

Exploring the genetic origins of the Black Death, this research traces the evolution of Yersinia pestis to understand why the medieval plague was so deadly.

Proboscidean Phylogeography In North America Learn more

Through ancient DNA analysis, researchers are uncovering the genetic history of North America’s mammoths and mastodons, revealing how climate and migration shaped their fate.

Xenarthran Phylogenetics & Evolution Learn more

By sequencing ancient and modern Xenarthran genomes, researchers are uncovering the evolutionary pathways that shaped armadillos, anteaters, and sloths.

Paleoecological Reconstruction Learn more

Developing optimized methods for extracting DNA from ancient sediments researchers are reconstructing the flora and fauna present in past ecosystems.

Epigenetics Learn more

By modifying bisulfite treatments for ancient DNA extracts, researchers are able to obtain and analyse methylation data from past populations and better understand the impact of lived experiences on the methylome.

Ancient DNA Repair Learn more

Pioneering enzymatic repair techniques, researchers are restoring ancient DNA to unlock evolutionary insights from long-degraded genetic material.

Cholera (Vibrio cholerae): Evolution Of A Pandemic Learn more

By analyzing preserved intestinal samples, researchers are uncovering the genetic history of 19th-century cholera and its lasting impact on disease evolution.

Packrat (Neotoma) Midden Metagenomics Learn more

Through the analysis of ancient packrat middens, researchers are reconstructing past ecosystems, revealing how climate and biodiversity have shifted over thousands of years.

Field Collections

Ancient DNA research begins in the field – where discovery meets preservation. These featured collections showcase expeditions to extraordinary sites where McMaster researchers gathered specimens under unique environmental conditions. From the frozen vaults of Siberia to the alpine excavations of Colorado, each field collection offers a glimpse into the origins of our genetic investigations.

Explore the environments, specimens, and stories behind the science.

Snowmass Field Collection learn more

At a rare Ice Age excavation site in Snowmass, Colorado, researchers sampled Proboscidean remains to uncover the genetic history of extinct megafauna.

This project contributes to our understanding of how climate and migration shaped species survival in prehistoric North America.

Khatanga Field Collection Learn more

In the Siberian Arctic, researchers accessed Bernard Buigues’ frozen specimen archive to study exceptionally preserved remains.

This fieldwork offers insights into ancient ecosystems and the preservation of genetic material under extreme environmental conditions.