SUPR
Development of an optimal ancient DNA capture method for samples with varying levels of preservation
Dnr:

NAISS 2024/23-346

Type:

NAISS Small Storage

Principal Investigator:

Reyhan Yaka

Affiliation:

Stockholms universitet

Start Date:

2024-06-01

End Date:

2025-06-01

Primary Classification:

10699: Other Biological Topics

Webpage:

Allocation

Abstract

Ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis from archaeological remains is a rapidly growing field of research. aDNA data holds the potential to resolve major questions in evolutionary biology and anthropology, including demographic history and social structures. However, aDNA also poses major technical challenges due to its degraded nature and low quantity. Although high-throughput sequencing and in-solution capture techniques have helped to partly overcome these challenges, most archaeological samples still appear poorly preserved for in-depth genomic analysis using current methods. Here I plan to optimize the whole-genome capture (WGC) method for human samples with different quality and from various periods. I have systematically produced genomic data from samples of varying qualities, with respect to sample age, human DNA content, clonality, and applied WGC with a number of protocol modifications. In this project I will test the enrichment efficiency using my tailored WGC protocols is comparable to maximum enrichment efficiency observed across the test libraries. If yes, this will suggest that my tailored WGC protocols are superior to the standard protocol. This research, is expected to yield optimised protocols for genomic analyses of archaeological remains with varying levels of preservation.