TY - BOOK

T1 - Application of Ancient DNA Methods to the Study of the Transatlantic Slave Trade

AU - Sandoval Velasco, Marcela

PY - 2015

Y1 - 2015

N2 - As one of a limited number of biomolecules recording evolutionary events, DNA provides an unparalleled means of investigating genetic processes. Over three decades, ancient DNA research has matured in many ways, growing alongside technological and methodological advancements. However, due to DNA preservation, degradation and contamination, ancient DNA research presents significant limitations and challenges. Until recently, it was thought that DNA did not survive more than few hundred thousand years, and that it was impossible to retrieve whole genome data from ancient samples preserved under suboptimal conditions. However, experimental and analytical methods have been developed to overcome these limitations. Rigorous laboratory procedures, optimized capture enrichment methods coupled to high-throughput sequencing platforms, and expanding modern reference datasets have enabled the generation of complete ancient genomes from numerous extinct and extant species, including humans and hominins. In addition, the field has gradually opened the opportunity to study human populations through history. In this thesis I have applied, tested and investigated the performance of different ancient DNA extractions, sequencing library preparations, and whole-genome capture enrichment methods, with the goal of retrieving ancient genome wide data from poorly preserved archaeological remains. Such data contributes to the study of the transatlantic slave trade, in particular helping shed light upon the origins and diversity of enslaved Africans. Ultimately this will help answer long-standing historical questions and broaden our understanding of the dynamics of this contested part of human history.English summary As one of a limited number of biomolecules recording evolutionary events, DNA provides an unparalleled means of investigating genetic processes. Over three decades, ancient DNA research has matured in many ways, growing alongside technological and methodological advancements. However, due to DNA preservation, degradation and contamination, ancient DNA research presents significant limitations and challenges. Until recently, it was thought that DNA did not survive more than few hundred thousand years, and that it was impossible to retrieve whole genome data from ancient samples preserved under suboptimal conditions. However, experimental and analytical methods have been developed to overcome these limitations. Rigorous laboratory procedures, optimized capture enrichment methods coupled to high-throughput sequencing platforms, and expanding modern reference datasets have enabled the generation of complete ancient genomes from numerous extinct and extant species, including humans and hominins. In addition, the field has gradually opened the opportunity to study human populations through history. In this thesis I have applied, tested and investigated the performance of different ancient DNA extractions, sequencing library preparations, and whole-genome capture enrichment methods, with the goal of retrieving ancient genome wide data from poorly preserved archaeological remains. Such data contributes to the study of the transatlantic slave trade, in particular helping shed light upon the origins and diversity of enslaved Africans. Ultimately this will help answer long-standing historical questions and broaden our understanding of the dynamics of this contested part of human history.

AB - As one of a limited number of biomolecules recording evolutionary events, DNA provides an unparalleled means of investigating genetic processes. Over three decades, ancient DNA research has matured in many ways, growing alongside technological and methodological advancements. However, due to DNA preservation, degradation and contamination, ancient DNA research presents significant limitations and challenges. Until recently, it was thought that DNA did not survive more than few hundred thousand years, and that it was impossible to retrieve whole genome data from ancient samples preserved under suboptimal conditions. However, experimental and analytical methods have been developed to overcome these limitations. Rigorous laboratory procedures, optimized capture enrichment methods coupled to high-throughput sequencing platforms, and expanding modern reference datasets have enabled the generation of complete ancient genomes from numerous extinct and extant species, including humans and hominins. In addition, the field has gradually opened the opportunity to study human populations through history. In this thesis I have applied, tested and investigated the performance of different ancient DNA extractions, sequencing library preparations, and whole-genome capture enrichment methods, with the goal of retrieving ancient genome wide data from poorly preserved archaeological remains. Such data contributes to the study of the transatlantic slave trade, in particular helping shed light upon the origins and diversity of enslaved Africans. Ultimately this will help answer long-standing historical questions and broaden our understanding of the dynamics of this contested part of human history.English summary As one of a limited number of biomolecules recording evolutionary events, DNA provides an unparalleled means of investigating genetic processes. Over three decades, ancient DNA research has matured in many ways, growing alongside technological and methodological advancements. However, due to DNA preservation, degradation and contamination, ancient DNA research presents significant limitations and challenges. Until recently, it was thought that DNA did not survive more than few hundred thousand years, and that it was impossible to retrieve whole genome data from ancient samples preserved under suboptimal conditions. However, experimental and analytical methods have been developed to overcome these limitations. Rigorous laboratory procedures, optimized capture enrichment methods coupled to high-throughput sequencing platforms, and expanding modern reference datasets have enabled the generation of complete ancient genomes from numerous extinct and extant species, including humans and hominins. In addition, the field has gradually opened the opportunity to study human populations through history. In this thesis I have applied, tested and investigated the performance of different ancient DNA extractions, sequencing library preparations, and whole-genome capture enrichment methods, with the goal of retrieving ancient genome wide data from poorly preserved archaeological remains. Such data contributes to the study of the transatlantic slave trade, in particular helping shed light upon the origins and diversity of enslaved Africans. Ultimately this will help answer long-standing historical questions and broaden our understanding of the dynamics of this contested part of human history.

UR - https://soeg.kb.dk/permalink/45KBDK_KGL/fbp0ps/alma99122770754905763

M3 - Ph.D. thesis

BT - Application of Ancient DNA Methods to the Study of the Transatlantic Slave Trade

PB - Natural History Museum of Denmark, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen

ER -