Studying Ancestral DNA Through Genomic Techniques

Context: 

Advanced Genomic Techniques used in ancient DNA studies have provided extraordinary insights into the genetic makeup of our ancestors.

What Are Genomic Techniques?

• Genomic techniques are a bunch of different methods scientists use to study all the DNA in an organism. 
• This includes figuring out the order of the DNA building blocks, finding where specific genes are, and understanding how genes work. 
• These approaches involve processes such as sequencing, mapping, and analyzing DNA at the molecular level. 

Significance of Studying Ancestral DNA

• Genetic Disease in Ancient Humans: 

  • The use of sequences of aDNA has helped to know about genetic diseases such as Down’s syndrome, Klinefelter’s syndrome and Turner syndrome.
    • For Example: Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute discovered early cases of Turner syndrome, Klinefelter’s syndrome, and Down syndrome in ancient British aDNA from the Iron Age.

• Lifestyles of Ancient Humans: 

• • Ancient humans’ lifestyles can be understood by studying genetic remains like birch tree pitch.
  • Birch pitch was commonly used by ancient humans to fix tools and arrowheads.Microbes found in birch pitch can tell us about the oral health of the people who chewed it.

• Creation and Development of Stone Tools: 

• • Studying ancient DNA can give us important clues about how stone tools were made.
  • In the 1930s, a cave was excavated in Ranis, Germany, where ancient stone tools were discovered.
    • The cave  gave signs when modern humans, Neanderthals, and Denisovans lived together.
    • The DNA sequencing of the  bones found in this site showed they belonged to Homo sapiens or modern humans.

• Cardiovascular Disease: 

• • A research team from Italy, Germany, and the U.S. analysed genetic variants linked to cardiovascular diseases in modern humans.
  • This research showed that  ancient people also faced  a risk of developing cardiovascular disease and calcified heart vessels. 
    • It shows that this disease has been widespread in human populations for at least 5,000 years.

News Source: The Hindu

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