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Palma-Martínez MJ, Posadas-García YS, Shaukat A, López-Ángeles BE, Sohail M. Evolution, genetic diversity, and health. Nat Med 2025; 31:751-761. [PMID: 40055519 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-025-03558-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2025] [Indexed: 03/21/2025]
Abstract
Human genetic diversity in today's world has been shaped by evolutionary history, demographic shifts and environmental exposures, influencing complex traits, disease susceptibility and drug responses. Capturing this diversity is essential for advancing precision medicine and promoting equitable healthcare. Despite the great progress achieved with initiatives such as the human Pangenome and large biobanks that aim for a better representation of human diversity, important challenges remain. In this Perspective, we discuss the importance of diversity in clinical genomics through an evolutionary lens. We highlight progress and challenges and outline key clinical applications of diverse genetic data. We argue that diversifying both datasets and methodologies-integrating ancestral and environmental factors-is crucial for fully understanding the genetic basis of human health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- María J Palma-Martínez
- Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, México
| | | | - Amara Shaukat
- Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, México
| | - Brenda E López-Ángeles
- Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, México
| | - Mashaal Sohail
- Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, México.
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2
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Stantis C, Schaefer BJ, Correia MA, Alaica AK, Huffer D, Plomp E, Di Giusto M, Chidimuro B, Rose AK, Nayak A, Kendall EJ. Ethics and applications of isotope analysis in archaeology. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2025; 186:e24992. [PMID: 38949078 PMCID: PMC11775430 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
This synthesis explores specific ethical questions that commonly arise in isotopic analysis. For more than four decades, isotope analysis has been employed in archeological studies to explore past human and animal dietary habits, mobility patterns, and the environment in which a human or animal inhabited during life. These analyses require consideration of ethical issues. While theoretical concepts are discussed, we focus on practical aspects: working with descendant communities and other rights holders, choosing methods, creating and sharing data, and working mindfully within academia. These layers of respect and care should surround our science. This paper is relevant for specialists in isotope analysis as well as those incorporating these methods into larger projects. By covering the whole of the research process, from design to output management, we appeal broadly to archaeology and provide actionable solutions that build on the discussions in the general field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Stantis
- Department of Geology and GeophysicsUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUtahUSA
| | - Benjamin J. Schaefer
- Department of Anthropology, Gender and Women's Studies, and Latin American and Latino StudiesUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
- The Center for the Recovery and Identification of the MissingUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Division of AnthropologyThe Field Museum of Natural HistoryChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Maria Ana Correia
- Interdisciplinary Center for Archaeology and the Evolution of Human Behaviour (ICArEHB)Universidade do AlgarveAlgarvePortugal
- Laboratório de Arqueologia e Antropologia Ambiental e EvolutivaUniversidade de São PauloSao PauloBrazil
| | - Aleksa K. Alaica
- Department of AnthropologyThe University of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Damien Huffer
- Department of HistoryCarleton UniversityOttawaOntarioCanada
- School of Social SciencesUniversity of QueenslandSaint LuciaQueenslandAustralia
- The Alliance to Counter Crime OnlineWashingtonDCUSA
| | - Esther Plomp
- Faculty of Applied SciencesDelft University of TechnologyDelftThe Netherlands
| | - Marina Di Giusto
- Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia, Universidade de São PauloSao PauloBrazil
| | - Blessing Chidimuro
- Department of Geography and Environmental ScienceUniversity of ReadingReadingUK
| | | | - Ayushi Nayak
- Department of ArchaeologyMax Planck Institute of GeoanthropologyJenaGermany
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de la Fuente Castro C, Cortés C, Raghavan M, Castillo D, Castro M, Verdugo RA, Moraga M. The Genomic and Cultural Diversity of the Inka Qhapaq Hucha Ceremony in Chile and Argentina. Genome Biol Evol 2024; 16:evae196. [PMID: 39235046 PMCID: PMC11411372 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evae196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 08/26/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The South American archaeological record has ample evidence of the socio-cultural dynamism of human populations in the past. This has also been supported through the analysis of ancient genomes, by showing evidence of gene flow across the region. While the extent of these signals is yet to be tested, the growing number of ancient genomes allows for more fine-scaled hypotheses to be evaluated. In this study, we assessed the genetic diversity of individuals associated with the Inka ritual, Qhapaq hucha. As part of this ceremony, one or more individuals were buried with Inka and local-style offerings on mountain summits along the Andes, leaving a very distinctive record. Using paleogenomic tools, we analyzed three individuals: two newly generated genomes from El Plomo Mountain (Chile) and El Toro Mountain (Argentina), and a previously published genome from Argentina (Aconcagua Mountain). Our results reveal a complex demographic scenario with each of the individuals showing different genetic affinities. Furthermore, while two individuals showed genetic similarities with present-day and ancient populations from the southern region of the Inka empire, the third individual may have undertaken long-distance movement. The genetic diversity we observed between individuals from similar cultural contexts supports the highly diverse strategies Inka implemented while incorporating new territories. More broadly, this research contributes to our growing understanding of the population dynamics in the Andes by discussing the implications and temporality of population movements in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constanza de la Fuente Castro
- Programa de Genética Humana, ICBM, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, 8380453, Región Metropolitana, Chile
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, 60637, IL, USA
| | - Constanza Cortés
- Escuela de Arqueología, Universidad Austral, Puerto Montt, 5504327, Región de Los Lagos, Chile
| | - Maanasa Raghavan
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, 60637, IL, USA
| | - Daniela Castillo
- Programa de Genética Humana, ICBM, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, 8380453, Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - Mario Castro
- Museo Nacional de Historia Natural, Parque Quinta Normal, Santiago, 8500000, Región Metropolitana, Chile
- Departamento de Morfología, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana-Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, 7610615, Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - Ricardo A Verdugo
- Programa de Genética Humana, ICBM, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, 8380453, Región Metropolitana, Chile
- Departamento de Oncología Básico-Clínica, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, 8380453, Región Metropolitana, Chile
- Instituto de Investigación Interdisciplinaria, Universidad de Talca, Talca 3465548, Región del Maule, Chile
| | - Mauricio Moraga
- Programa de Genética Humana, ICBM, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, 8380453, Región Metropolitana, Chile
- Departamento de Antropología, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, 7800284, Región Metropolitana, Chile
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Özdoğan KT, Gelabert P, Hammers N, Altınışık NE, de Groot A, Plets G. Archaeology meets environmental genomics: implementing sedaDNA in the study of the human past. ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL SCIENCES 2024; 16:108. [PMID: 38948161 PMCID: PMC11213777 DOI: 10.1007/s12520-024-01999-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) has become one of the standard applications in the field of paleogenomics in recent years. It has been used for paleoenvironmental reconstructions, detecting the presence of prehistoric species in the absence of macro remains and even investigating the evolutionary history of a few species. However, its application in archaeology has been limited and primarily focused on humans. This article argues that sedaDNA holds significant potential in addressing key archaeological questions concerning the origins, lifestyles, and environments of past human populations. Our aim is to facilitate the integration of sedaDNA into the standard workflows in archaeology as a transformative tool, thereby unleashing its full potential for studying the human past. Ultimately, we not only underscore the challenges inherent in the sedaDNA field but also provide a research agenda for essential enhancements needed for implementing sedaDNA into the archaeological workflow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kadir Toykan Özdoğan
- Department of History and Art History, Utrecht University, Drift 6, Utrecht, 3512 BS Netherlands
- Animal Ecology, Wageningen Environmental Research, P.O box 47, Wageningen, Gelderland 6700 AA The Netherlands
| | - Pere Gelabert
- Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna, 1030 Austria
- Human Evolution and Archaeological Sciences (HEAS), University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna, 1030 Austria
| | - Neeke Hammers
- Environmental Archaeology, ADC ArcheoProjecten, Nijverheidsweg-Noord 114, Amersfoort, Utrecht, 3812 PN Netherlands
| | - N. Ezgi Altınışık
- Human-G Laboratory, Department of Anthropology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, 06800 Türkiye
| | - Arjen de Groot
- Animal Ecology, Wageningen Environmental Research, P.O box 47, Wageningen, Gelderland 6700 AA The Netherlands
| | - Gertjan Plets
- Department of History and Art History, Utrecht University, Drift 6, Utrecht, 3512 BS Netherlands
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Edwards SV, Cloutier A, Cockburn G, Driver R, Grayson P, Katoh K, Baldwin MW, Sackton TB, Baker AJ. A nuclear genome assembly of an extinct flightless bird, the little bush moa. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj6823. [PMID: 38781323 PMCID: PMC11809649 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj6823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
We present a draft genome of the little bush moa (Anomalopteryx didiformis)-one of approximately nine species of extinct flightless birds from Aotearoa, New Zealand-using ancient DNA recovered from a fossil bone from the South Island. We recover a complete mitochondrial genome at 249.9× depth of coverage and almost 900 megabases of a male moa nuclear genome at ~4 to 5× coverage, with sequence contiguity sufficient to identify more than 85% of avian universal single-copy orthologs. We describe a diverse landscape of transposable elements and satellite repeats, estimate a long-term effective population size of ~240,000, identify a diverse suite of olfactory receptor genes and an opsin repertoire with sensitivity in the ultraviolet range, show that the wingless moa phenotype is likely not attributable to gene loss or pseudogenization, and identify potential function-altering coding sequence variants in moa that could be synthesized for future functional assays. This genomic resource should support further studies of avian evolution and morphological divergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott V. Edwards
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Alison Cloutier
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Glenn Cockburn
- Evolution of Sensory Systems Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, 82319 Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Robert Driver
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, E 5th Street, Greenville, NC 27605, USA
| | - Phil Grayson
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Kazutaka Katoh
- Department of Genome Informatics, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Japan
| | - Maude W. Baldwin
- Evolution of Sensory Systems Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, 82319 Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Timothy B. Sackton
- Informatics Group, Harvard University, 38 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Allan J. Baker
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcox Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3B2, Canada
- Department of Natural History, Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park, Toronto, ON M5S 2C6, Canada
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6
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Weiss E. No Bones About It: Sex Is Binary. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024; 53:1595-1608. [PMID: 38565789 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-024-02851-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Anthropologists have led the way in formulating techniques that reveal skeletal differences between males and females. Understanding of physical differences in the pelvis related to childbirth, hormonal impacts on bones, and extensive comparative studies have provided anthropologists with an array of traits and measurements that help them estimate sex using just bones. Forensic anthropologists and bioarcheologists are improving their ability to differentiate males and females by increasing research on a variety of postcranial bones and through the use of molecular data, especially new methods called proteomics, to identify sex in prepubescent juveniles. As remains from more cultures and time periods are studied, sex identification will continue to improve, because skeletal sex differences are in large part biologically determined. Yet, anthropologists have also been at the forefront of arguing that sex lies on a spectrum. Anthropologists who view sex as on a spectrum may deter sex identification progress; from their perspective, an individual of an undetermined sex may just be a nonbinary individual. Anthropologists who consider sex is on a spectrum are coming to this conclusion in part because they are looking for anatomical ideals, mistaking pathology for variation, and confusing independent variables with dependent variables. Nonetheless, anthropologists need to continue to improve sex identification techniques to reconstruct the past accurately, which may reveal less strict sex roles than previously presumed and help with the identification of crime victims. Forensic anthropologists should also increase their efforts to identify whether individuals have undergone medical procedures intended to change one's gender due to the current rise in transitioning individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Weiss
- Department of Anthropology, San José State University, One Washington Square, San José, CA, 95192-0113, USA.
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Gancz AS, Wright SL, Weyrich LS. Ancient human dental calculus metadata collection and sampling strategies: Recommendations for best practices. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2024; 183:e24871. [PMID: 37994571 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Ancient human dental calculus is a unique, nonrenewable biological resource encapsulating key information about the diets, lifestyles, and health conditions of past individuals and populations. With compounding calls its destructive analysis, it is imperative to refine the ways in which the scientific community documents, samples, and analyzes dental calculus so as to maximize its utility to the public and scientific community. MATERIALS AND METHODS Our research team conducted an IRB-approved survey of dental calculus researchers with diverse academic backgrounds, research foci, and analytical specializations. RESULTS This survey reveals variation in how metadata is collected and utilized across different subdisciplines and highlights how these differences have profound implications for dental calculus research. Moreover, the survey suggests the need for more communication between those who excavate, curate, and analyze biomolecular data from dental calculus. DISCUSSION Challenges in cross-disciplinary communication limit researchers' ability to effectively utilize samples in rigorous and reproducible ways. Specifically, the lack of standardized skeletal and dental metadata recording and contamination avoidance procedures hinder downstream anthropological applications, as well as the pursuit of broader paleodemographic and paleoepidemiological inquiries that rely on more complete information about the individuals sampled. To provide a path forward toward more ethical and standardized dental calculus sampling and documentation approaches, we review the current methods by which skeletal and dental metadata are recorded. We also describe trends in sampling and contamination-control approaches. Finally, we use that information to suggest new guidelines for ancient dental calculus documentation and sampling strategies that will improve research practices in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail S Gancz
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- One Health Microbiome Center, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sterling L Wright
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- One Health Microbiome Center, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Laura S Weyrich
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- One Health Microbiome Center, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Masila EM, Ogada SO, Ogali IN, Kennedy GM, Too EK, Ommeh CS. Mitochondrial DNA D-Loop Polymorphisms among the Galla Goats Reveals Multiple Maternal Origins with Implication on the Functional Diversity of the HSP70 Gene. Genet Res (Camb) 2024; 2024:5564596. [PMID: 38348366 PMCID: PMC10861283 DOI: 10.1155/2024/5564596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite much attention given to the history of goat evolution in Kenya, information on the origin, demographic history, dispersal route, and genetic diversity of Galla goats remains unclear. Here, we examined the genetic background, diversity, demographic history, and population genetic variation of Galla goats using mtDNA D-loop and HSP70 single-nucleotide polymorphism markers. The results revealed 90 segregating sites and 68 haplotypes in a 600-bp mtDNA D-loop sequence. The overall mean mitochondrial haplotype diversity was 0.993. The haplotype diversities ranged between 0.8939 ± 0.0777 and 1.0000 ± 0.0221 in all populations supporting high genetic diversity. Mitochondrial phylogenetic analysis revealed three Galla goat haplogroups (A, G, and D), supporting multiple maternal ancestries, of which haplogroup A was the most predominant. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed considerable variation within populations at 94.39%, evidence of high genetic diversity. Bimodal mismatch distribution patterns were observed while most populations recorded negative results for Tajima and Fu's Fs neutrality tests supporting population expansion. Genetic variation among populations was also confirmed using HSP70 gene fragment sequences, where six polymorphic sites which defined 21 haplotypes were discovered. Analysis of molecular variance revealed a significant FST index value of 0.134 and a high FIS index value of 0.746, an indication of inbreeding. This information will pave the way for conservation strategies and informed breeding to improve Galla or other goat breeds for climate-smart agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ednah M. Masila
- Institute for Biotechnology Research, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Juja, Kenya
- Veterinary Science Research Institute (VSRI), Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Research Organization (KALRO), P.O. Box 32-00902, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Stephen O. Ogada
- Institute for Biotechnology Research, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Juja, Kenya
| | - Irene N. Ogali
- Veterinary Science Research Institute (VSRI), Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Research Organization (KALRO), P.O. Box 32-00902, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Grace M. Kennedy
- Institute for Biotechnology Research, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Juja, Kenya
| | - Eric K. Too
- Veterinary Science Research Institute (VSRI), Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Research Organization (KALRO), P.O. Box 32-00902, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Cecily S. Ommeh
- Institute for Biotechnology Research, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Juja, Kenya
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Orlando L. The history of the Coast Salish "woolly dogs". Science 2023; 382:1236-1237. [PMID: 38096278 DOI: 10.1126/science.adm6959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
DNA and traditional knowledge reveal the history of an extinct dog bred for its wool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovic Orlando
- Centre for Anthropobiology and Genomics of Toulouse, CNRS UMR5288, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
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10
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Izarraras-Gomez A, Ortega-Del Vecchyo D. Ancient DNA uncovers past migrations in California. Nature 2023; 624:43-44. [PMID: 37993617 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-023-03503-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
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Arango-Isaza E, Aninao MJ, Campbell R, Martínez FI, Shimizu KK, Barbieri C. Bridging the gap: returning genetic results to indigenous communities in Latin America. Front Genet 2023; 14:1304974. [PMID: 38090153 PMCID: PMC10715051 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1304974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2025] Open
Abstract
In response to inequality in access to genomics research, efforts are underway to include underrepresented minorities, but explicit (and enforcing) guidelines are mostly targeted toward the Global North. In this work, we elaborate on the need to return scientific results to indigenous communities, reporting the actions we have taken in a recent genomic study with Mapuche communities in Chile. Our approach acknowledged the social dynamics perpetuating colonial hierarchies. We framed genetic results to empower indigenous knowledge and communities' history and identities. A fundamental step in our strategy has been sharing the results with the communities before publishing the scientific paper, which allowed us to incorporate community perspectives. We faced the challenge of translating genetic concepts like admixture, emphasizing the distinction between identity and biology. To reach a broad and diverse audience, we disseminated the study results to single community members, cultural representatives, and high schools, highlighting the importance of the history of the region before the European contact. To facilitate results dissemination, we prepared didactic material and a report in Spanish written in non-specialized language, targeting a wider Latin American readership. This work illustrates the benefits of discussing scientific findings with indigenous communities, demonstrating that a collaborative and culturally sensitive approach fosters knowledge sharing and community empowerment and challenges power dynamics in genetic research. Bridging the gap between academia and indigenous communities promotes equity and inclusion in scientific endeavors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Epifanía Arango-Isaza
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language Evolution, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Roberto Campbell
- Escuela de Antropología, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Felipe I. Martínez
- Escuela de Antropología, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Intercultural and Indigenous Research, Santiago, Chile
| | - Kentaro K. Shimizu
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language Evolution, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Chiara Barbieri
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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12
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Childebayeva A, Zavala EI. Review: Computational analysis of human skeletal remains in ancient DNA and forensic genetics. iScience 2023; 26:108066. [PMID: 37927550 PMCID: PMC10622734 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Degraded DNA is used to answer questions in the fields of ancient DNA (aDNA) and forensic genetics. While aDNA studies typically center around human evolution and past history, and forensic genetics is often more concerned with identifying a specific individual, scientists in both fields face similar challenges. The overlap in source material has prompted periodic discussions and studies on the advantages of collaboration between fields toward mutually beneficial methodological advancements. However, most have been centered around wet laboratory methods (sampling, DNA extraction, library preparation, etc.). In this review, we focus on the computational side of the analytical workflow. We discuss limitations and considerations to consider when working with degraded DNA. We hope this review provides a framework to researchers new to computational workflows for how to think about analyzing highly degraded DNA and prompts an increase of collaboration between the forensic genetics and aDNA fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ainash Childebayeva
- Department of Archaeogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Anthropology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Elena I. Zavala
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
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Guevara E, Gopalan S, Massey DJ, Adegboyega M, Zhou W, Solis A, Anaya AD, Churchill SE, Feldblum J, Lawler RR. Getting it right: Teaching undergraduate biology to undermine racial essentialism. Biol Methods Protoc 2023; 8:bpad032. [PMID: 38023347 PMCID: PMC10674104 DOI: 10.1093/biomethods/bpad032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
How we teach human genetics matters for social equity. The biology curriculum appears to be a crucial locus of intervention for either reinforcing or undermining students' racial essentialist views. The Mendelian genetic models dominating textbooks, particularly in combination with racially inflected language sometimes used when teaching about monogenic disorders, can increase middle and high school students' racial essentialism and opposition to policies to increase equity. These findings are of particular concern given the increasing spread of racist misinformation online and the misappropriation of human genomics research by white supremacists, who take advantage of low levels of genetics literacy in the general public. Encouragingly, however, teaching updated information about the geographical distribution of human genetic variation and the complex, multifactorial basis of most human traits, reduces students' endorsement of racial essentialism. The genetics curriculum is therefore a key tool in combating misinformation and scientific racism. Here, we describe a framework and example teaching materials for teaching students key concepts in genetics, human evolutionary history, and human phenotypic variation at the undergraduate level. This framework can be flexibly applied in biology and anthropology classes and adjusted based on time availability. Our goal is to provide undergraduate-level instructors with varying levels of expertise with a set of evidence-informed tools for teaching human genetics to combat scientific racism, including an evolving set of instructional resources, as well as learning goals and pedagogical approaches. Resources can be found at https://noto.li/YIlhZ5. Additionally, we hope to generate conversation about integrating modern genetics into the undergraduate curriculum, in light of recent findings about the risks and opportunities associated with teaching genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine Guevara
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27713, United States
| | - Shyamalika Gopalan
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27713, United States
| | - Dashiell J Massey
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27713, United States
| | - Mayowa Adegboyega
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27713, United States
| | - Wen Zhou
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27713, United States
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan, Jiangsu 215316, China
| | - Alma Solis
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27713, United States
| | - Alisha D Anaya
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27713, United States
| | - Steven E Churchill
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27713, United States
| | - Joseph Feldblum
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27713, United States
| | - Richard R Lawler
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807, United States
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14
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Ávila-Arcos MC, Raghavan M, Schlebusch C. Going local with ancient DNA: A review of human histories from regional perspectives. Science 2023; 382:53-58. [PMID: 37797024 DOI: 10.1126/science.adh8140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Ancient DNA (aDNA) has added a wealth of information about our species' history, including insights on genetic origins, migrations and gene flow, genetic admixture, and health and disease. Much early work has focused on continental-level questions, leaving many regional questions, especially those relevant to the Global South, comparatively underexplored. A few success stories of aDNA studies from smaller laboratories involve more local aspects of human histories and health in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. In this Review, we cover some of these contributions by synthesizing finer-scale questions of importance to the archaeogenetics field, as well as to Indigenous and Descendant communities. We further highlight the potential of aDNA to uncover past histories in regions where colonialism has neglected the oral histories of oppressed peoples.
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Affiliation(s)
- María C Ávila-Arcos
- International Laboratory for Human Genome Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Maanasa Raghavan
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Carina Schlebusch
- Human Evolution, Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Palaeo-Research Institute, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
- SciLifeLab, Uppsala, Sweden
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15
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Menéndez LP, Barbieri C, López Cruz IG, Schmelzle T, Breidenstein A, Barquera R, Borzi G, Schuenemann VJ, Sánchez-Villagra MR. On Roth's "human fossil" from Baradero, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina: morphological and genetic analysis. SWISS JOURNAL OF PALAEONTOLOGY 2023; 142:26. [PMID: 37810206 PMCID: PMC10550872 DOI: 10.1186/s13358-023-00293-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
The "human fossil" from Baradero, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, is a collection of skeleton parts first recovered by the paleontologist Santiago Roth and further studied by the anthropologist Rudolf Martin. By the end of the nineteenth century and beginning of the twentieth century it was considered one of the oldest human skeletons from South America's southern cone. Here, we present the results of an interdisciplinary approach to study and contextualize the ancient individual remains. We discuss the context of the finding by first compiling the available evidence associated with the historical information and any previous scientific publications on this individual. Then, we conducted an osteobiographical assessment, by which we evaluated the sex, age, and overall preservation of the skeleton based on morphological features. To obtain a 3D virtual reconstruction of the skull, we performed high resolution CT-scans on selected skull fragments and the mandible. This was followed by the extraction of bone tissue and tooth samples for radiocarbon and genetic analyses, which brought only limited results due to poor preservation and possible contamination. We estimate that the individual from Baradero is a middle-aged adult male. We conclude that the revision of foundational collections with current methodological tools brings new insights and clarifies long held assumptions on the significance of samples that were recovered when archaeology was not yet professionalized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lumila Paula Menéndez
- Department for the Anthropology of the Americas, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Chiara Barbieri
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Thomas Schmelzle
- Department of Paleontology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Abagail Breidenstein
- Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Anthropology, Binghamton University, Binghamton, USA
| | - Rodrigo Barquera
- Department of Archaeogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Guido Borzi
- Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas, La Plata, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas, CONICET-UNLP, La Plata, Argentina
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16
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Tamburrini C, Dahinten SL, Saihueque RRR, Ávila-Arcos MC, Parolin ML. Towards an ethical and legal framework in archeogenomics: A local case in the Atlantic coast of central Patagonia. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2023; 182:161-176. [PMID: 37525572 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Ethical discussions around ancient DNA (aDNA) research predate the technological breakthroughs that led to the accelerated generation of ancient genomic data, revealing a long-due need to address these aspects in the field. Given the diverse conflicts that genomics has raised towards the communities associated with the Non-living Human Ancestors under study, it has been suggested that the ethical and legal implications of genetically studying present-day and ancient human populations should be considered case-by-case. Nevertheless, the discussions have focused on US and European perspectives. To contribute from a local and Latin American position to the problem, we present the history of consensus and disagreement of the relationships between scientists and Indigenous communities of the Atlantic coast of the central Argentinian Patagonia. We describe how these relationships resulted in the approval of a groundbreaking provincial law that acknowledges the Indigenous community's right to be involved in decision-making concerning their Ancestors. In addition, we emphasize how these established relationships allowed the development of aDNA studies. With this background, we address the main ethical concerns of genomic studies of Ancestors identified in the reference literature and commit to applying some of the recommendations suggested in those ethical guidelines. Then, we reflect on possible negative consequences of ongoing research and propose some suggestions based on personal experiences that will contribute to moving the ethical field towards a more contextualized science with a local perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Tamburrini
- Instituto de Diversidad y Evolución Austral (IDEAus, CCT CONICET-CENPAT), Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
| | - Silvia Lucrecia Dahinten
- Instituto de Diversidad y Evolución Austral (IDEAus, CCT CONICET-CENPAT), Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
| | - Rubén Ricardo Romero Saihueque
- Dirección de Asuntos Indígenas, Subsecretaría de Derechos Humanos, Ministerio de Gobierno y Justicia del Chubut, Rawson, Chubut, Argentina
| | - María C Ávila-Arcos
- International Laboratory for Human Genome Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico (UNAM), Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico
| | - María Laura Parolin
- Instituto de Diversidad y Evolución Austral (IDEAus, CCT CONICET-CENPAT), Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
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17
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Guzmán-Solís AA, Navarro MA, Ávila-Arcos MC, Blanco-Melo D. A Glimpse into the Past: What Ancient Viral Genomes Reveal About Human History. Annu Rev Virol 2023; 10:49-75. [PMID: 37268008 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-111821-123859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Humans have battled viruses for millennia. However, directly linking the symptomatology of disease outbreaks to specific viral pathogens was not possible until the twentieth century. With the advent of the genomic era and the development of advanced protocols for isolation, sequencing, and analysis of ancient nucleic acids from diverse human remains, the identification and characterization of ancient viruses became feasible. Recent studies have provided invaluable information about past epidemics and made it possible to examine assumptions and inferences on the origin and evolution of certain viral families. In parallel, the study of ancient viruses also uncovered their importance in the evolution of the human lineage and their key roles in shaping major events in human history. In this review, we describe the strategies used for the study of ancient viruses, along with their limitations, and provide a detailed account of what past viral infections have revealed about human history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel A Guzmán-Solís
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Miguel Alejandro Navarro
- Licenciatura en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
- International Laboratory for Human Genome Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, México;
| | - María C Ávila-Arcos
- International Laboratory for Human Genome Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, México;
| | - Daniel Blanco-Melo
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA;
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Serrano JG, Ordóñez AC, Santana J, Sánchez-Cañadillas E, Arnay M, Rodríguez-Rodríguez A, Morales J, Velasco-Vázquez J, Alberto-Barroso V, Delgado-Darias T, de Mercadal MCC, Hernández JC, Moreno-Benítez MA, Pais J, Ringbauer H, Sikora M, McColl H, Pino-Yanes M, Ferrer MH, Bustamante CD, Fregel R. The genomic history of the indigenous people of the Canary Islands. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4641. [PMID: 37582830 PMCID: PMC10427657 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40198-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The indigenous population of the Canary Islands, which colonized the archipelago around the 3rd century CE, provides both a window into the past of North Africa and a unique model to explore the effects of insularity. We generate genome-wide data from 40 individuals from the seven islands, dated between the 3rd-16rd centuries CE. Along with components already present in Moroccan Neolithic populations, the Canarian natives show signatures related to Bronze Age expansions in Eurasia and trans-Saharan migrations. The lack of gene flow between islands and constant or decreasing effective population sizes suggest that populations were isolated. While some island populations maintained relatively high genetic diversity, with the only detected bottleneck coinciding with the colonization time, other islands with fewer natural resources show the effects of insularity and isolation. Finally, consistent genetic differentiation between eastern and western islands points to a more complex colonization process than previously thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier G Serrano
- Evolution, Paleogenomics and Population Genetics Group, Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Cell Biology and Genetics, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Alejandra C Ordóñez
- Tarha Group, Department of Historical Sciences, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Jonathan Santana
- Tarha Group, Department of Historical Sciences, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Elías Sánchez-Cañadillas
- Tarha Group, Department of Historical Sciences, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Matilde Arnay
- Bioanthropology: Paleopathology, Diet and Nutrition in Ancient Populations Group, Department of Prehistory, Anthropology and Ancient History, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Amelia Rodríguez-Rodríguez
- Tarha Group, Department of Historical Sciences, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Jacob Morales
- Tarha Group, Department of Historical Sciences, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Javier Velasco-Vázquez
- Servicio de Patrimonio Histórico, Cabildo de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Juan Carlos Hernández
- Museo Arqueológico de La Gomera, San Sebastián de La Gomera, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | | | - Jorge Pais
- Museo Arqueológico Benahoarita, Los Llanos de Aridane, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Harald Ringbauer
- Department of Archaeogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martin Sikora
- Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Centre, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hugh McColl
- Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Centre, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maria Pino-Yanes
- Genomics and Health Group, Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Cell Biology and Genetics, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariano Hernández Ferrer
- Molecular Genetics and Biodiversity Group, Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Cell Biology and Genetics, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | | | - Rosa Fregel
- Evolution, Paleogenomics and Population Genetics Group, Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Cell Biology and Genetics, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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20
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Villa-Islas V, Izarraras-Gomez A, Larena M, Campos EMP, Sandoval-Velasco M, Rodríguez-Rodríguez JE, Bravo-Lopez M, Moguel B, Fregel R, Garfias-Morales E, Medina Tretmanis J, Velázquez-Ramírez DA, Herrera-Muñóz A, Sandoval K, Nieves-Colón MA, Zepeda García Moreno G, Villanea FA, Medina EFV, Aguayo-Haro R, Valdiosera C, Ioannidis AG, Moreno-Estrada A, Jay F, Huerta-Sanchez E, Moreno-Mayar JV, Sánchez-Quinto F, Ávila-Arcos MC. Demographic history and genetic structure in pre-Hispanic Central Mexico. Science 2023; 380:eadd6142. [PMID: 37167382 DOI: 10.1126/science.add6142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Aridoamerica and Mesoamerica are two distinct cultural areas in northern and central Mexico, respectively, that hosted numerous pre-Hispanic civilizations between 2500 BCE and 1521 CE. The division between these regions shifted southward because of severe droughts ~1100 years ago, which allegedly drove a population replacement in central Mexico by Aridoamerican peoples. In this study, we present shotgun genome-wide data from 12 individuals and 27 mitochondrial genomes from eight pre-Hispanic archaeological sites across Mexico, including two at the shifting border of Aridoamerica and Mesoamerica. We find population continuity that spans the climate change episode and a broad preservation of the genetic structure across present-day Mexico for the past 2300 years. Lastly, we identify a contribution to pre-Hispanic populations of northern and central Mexico from two ancient unsampled "ghost" populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viridiana Villa-Islas
- International Laboratory for Human Genome Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, México
| | - Alan Izarraras-Gomez
- International Laboratory for Human Genome Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, México
| | - Maximilian Larena
- Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Marcela Sandoval-Velasco
- Section for Evolutionary Genomics, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Anthropology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560, USA
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuidad de México, Mexico
| | | | - Miriam Bravo-Lopez
- International Laboratory for Human Genome Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, México
| | - Barbara Moguel
- International Laboratory for Human Genome Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, México
- Centro de Geociencias, UNAM Juriquilla, Juriquilla, Querétaro, México
| | - Rosa Fregel
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Cell Biology and Genetics, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Ernesto Garfias-Morales
- International Laboratory for Human Genome Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, México
| | | | | | | | - Karla Sandoval
- Equity and Gender Office of the Centre for Research and Advanced Studies (CODIGO-C), CINVESTAV, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Maria A Nieves-Colón
- Unit of Advanced Genomics, National Laboratory of Genomics for Biodiversity (LANGEBIO), CINVESTAV, Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
- Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | - Fernando A Villanea
- Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | | | | | - Cristina Valdiosera
- Departamento de Historia, Geografía y Comunicaciones, Universidad de Burgos, Burgos, Spain
- Department of History and Archaeology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alexander G Ioannidis
- Institute for Computational and Mathematical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Andrés Moreno-Estrada
- Unit of Advanced Genomics, National Laboratory of Genomics for Biodiversity (LANGEBIO), CINVESTAV, Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Flora Jay
- Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire des Sciences du Numérique, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, INRIA, 91400 Orsay, France
| | | | - J Víctor Moreno-Mayar
- Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Centre, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - María C Ávila-Arcos
- International Laboratory for Human Genome Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Querétaro, México
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21
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Dalal V, Pasupuleti N, Chaubey G, Rai N, Shinde V. Advancements and Challenges in Ancient DNA Research: Bridging the Global North-South Divide. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:479. [PMID: 36833406 PMCID: PMC9956214 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Ancient DNA (aDNA) research first began in 1984 and ever since has greatly expanded our understanding of evolution and migration. Today, aDNA analysis is used to solve various puzzles about the origin of mankind, migration patterns, and the spread of infectious diseases. The incredible findings ranging from identifying the new branches within the human family to studying the genomes of extinct flora and fauna have caught the world by surprise in recent times. However, a closer look at these published results points out a clear Global North and Global South divide. Therefore, through this research, we aim to emphasize encouraging better collaborative opportunities and technology transfer to support researchers in the Global South. Further, the present research also focuses on expanding the scope of the ongoing conversation in the field of aDNA by reporting relevant literature published around the world and discussing the advancements and challenges in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasundhra Dalal
- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India
| | | | - Gyaneshwer Chaubey
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Niraj Rai
- Ancient DNA Lab, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow 226007, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Vasant Shinde
- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad 500007, Telangana, India
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