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Updated: Jun 1, 2025

Optimized Bone Sampling Protocols for the Retrieval of Ancient DNA from Archaeological Remains
Published on: November 30, 2021
Protocol for reconstructing ancestral genomes from present-day samples by applying local ancestry inference.
Xiaoxi Zhang1, Baonan Wang2, Jia Wen2
1Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Human Phenome Institute, Zhangjiang Fudan International Innovation Center, Center for Evolutionary Biology, Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.
Reconstructing ancestral genomes from present-day DNA is now possible. This protocol aids in inferring demographic history and identifying local adaptations by analyzing genetic ancestry.
Area of Science:
- Population Genetics
- Genomics
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- The genome of the most recent common ancestor is typically unavailable.
- Reconstructing ancestral genomes can aid in understanding demographic history and local adaptations.
- Existing methods lack comprehensive protocols for ancestral genome reconstruction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a detailed protocol for reconstructing ancestral genomes using present-day samples.
- To enable the inference of demographic history and detection of local adaptations.
- To provide a reproducible method for ancestral genome assembly.
Main Methods:
- Local ancestry inference in present-day populations.
- Haplotype estimation and phasing.
- Assembly of ancestral haplotypes from inferred local ancestry.
- Application to Miao and She populations for demonstration.
Main Results:
- A step-by-step protocol for ancestral genome reconstruction is detailed.
- The protocol successfully demonstrates ancestral genome assembly using example populations.
- The method facilitates the analysis of demographic history and local adaptation.
Conclusions:
- The presented protocol offers a viable method for reconstructing ancestral genomes.
- This approach enhances the study of human population genetics and evolutionary history.
- The protocol serves as a valuable tool for researchers in genomics and bioinformatics.
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