University centre to lead UK studies in ancient DNA

An Ancient Biomolecules Centre (ABC) is to be set up by University scientists, following a successful JIF bid in 1999, and will serve as the national centre of excellence for studies on ancient DNA. The ABC will consist of two laboratories, one in the University Museum and one in the Department of Zoology, containing state-of-the-art equipment and positive air pressure facilities. This environment will permit research on the highly degraded DNA present in ancient specimens, ensuring it remains uncontaminated by modern DNA. Projects to be undertaken include the study of DNA from mammal bones recovered from permafrost deposits in Alaska and Siberia. The species include mammoth, bison, sabre-tooth cats, lions, and bears, and will provide access to genetic information throughout a 35,000 year period. The data collected will be used to examine the genetic effects of global climate change, mass extinctions, and the impact of humans on wild populations. Another area of research will be the study of evolutionary transition between archaic sapiens and modern humans, using genetic data from ancient remains to answer fundamental questions about human evolution. Samples will also be taken from archaeological specimens which show diagnostic signs of diseases such as tuberculosis, leprosy, and syphilis; scientists will look for sequences of pathogen DNA and compare these diseases with the present day strains to provide insights into how the diseases have evolved, and the way in which they may develop in the future. The ABC will also study the relationship of extinct animals to their living relatives. Dr Alan Cooper, Fellow of Balliol College and Director of the ABC, has already characterised the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of two giant moa, the extinct flightless bird from New Zealand. Other extinct creatures which will be examined include the Barbary lion and the Dodo. In addition, genetic data from museum specimens of species that are currently endangered will be used to identify genetically diverse descendants which could be used in conservation management. Dr Cooper said: `The UK is a particularly attractive place to study ancient DNA because it contains a large number of archaeological and museum specimens that can be used to study human evolution, disease, and extinct species. The creation of the ABC will allow us to analyse genetic change in a large number of specimens over a considerable time-frame. This work would not be possible without purpose-built facilities, as the tiny amounts of preserved genetic material are easily swamped by DNA in the environment.'