The Neanderthal genome: an intermediate finish
A draft version of the Neanderthal genome was obtained
A group of scientists from Germany has completed the decoding of the Neanderthal genome, according to the Nature News portal (Neanderthal genome to be unveiled). The researchers will present their results at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, which will be held in Chicago on February 12.
The genome variant obtained by researchers under the leadership of Svante Paabo is rough: each of the three billion nucleotides that make up it is read on average once. The source of the genetic material was the bone tissue of a Neanderthal discovered in Croatia. Its age is about 38 thousand years.
During the years of storage of the remains, the DNA was severely damaged: long strands broke up into fragments about 50-60 nucleotides long. In order to assemble the original sequence from this genomic mosaic, scientists used a special DNA decoding technology.
The data obtained by Peebo and colleagues supplemented their previous results. In December, scientists managed to sequence half of the Neanderthal genome in a rough version. In August 2008, they presented fully sequenced mitochondrial DNA. Based on the results of this work, they rejected the hypothesis of possible contamination of Neanderthal genetic samples with human nucleic acids.
In the case of mitochondrial DNA, the researchers were able to read the information about 35 times. Such data can be considered reliable. The length of mitochondrial DNA is much smaller than nuclear DNA, so its sequence is easier to restore.
In the near future, the Peebo group intends to read the nuclear DNA from the Croatian sample several more times. In addition, scientists were able to isolate DNA from the remains of five other Neanderthals. If they succeed in sequencing it in good quality, then in the future researchers will be able to compile the genetic base of this extinct representative of the genus Homo.
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05.02.2009