All articles tagged with #ancient genetics
Scientists have successfully extracted and sequenced RNA from a 130-year-old preserved Tasmanian tiger, marking the first time ancient RNA has been recovered from an extinct mammal. This breakthrough provides new insights into the species' gene activity, tissue function, and potential viral interactions, opening new avenues for studying ancient biology and evolution.
Scientists used CRISPR to insert 40,000-year-old Neanderthal DNA into mice, specifically modifying the GLI3 gene, which resulted in unexpected skeletal changes that shed light on ancient human biology and the influence of archaic genes on modern humans.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have found a link between ancient DNA and the higher risk of multiple sclerosis in northern Europeans. The study suggests that genes from horse-riding cattle herders who entered northern Europe about 5,000 years ago may contribute to this increased risk. The findings were made possible by comparing modern DNA with ancient genetic material and were published in the journal Nature. The research raises questions about the role of gene variants in immunity and autoimmune diseases, prompting the need for further investigation.