Ancient DNA: The quest for the best

Area of Science:

• Palaeogenomics
• Molecular Biology
• Archaeology

Background:

• Identifying ancient DNA (aDNA) sources is crucial for palaeogenomics, impacting specimen preservation and research funding.
• The petrosal bone, the densest mammalian bone, was previously identified as a prime location for well-preserved aDNA.
• This led to increased demand for petrous bones from osteological collections.

Discussion:

• Alberti et al. identified the outer layer of cortical bone as a novel, promising source of endogenous DNA.
• This identification was achieved using computed tomography (CT) scans, a non-destructive imaging technique.
• Cortical bone is more abundant and accessible than petrosal bone.

Key Insights:

• The outermost layer of cortical bone yields relatively well-preserved endogenous DNA.
• This finding significantly increases the available source material for palaeogenomic studies.
• The discovery alleviates the intense pressure on limited petrous bone resources.

Outlook:

• Further research may explore other bone types or anatomical regions for aDNA preservation.
• This expands the potential for recovering genetic information from ancient remains.
• Facilitates more extensive and diverse palaeogenomic research globally.