Complete Genetic Map of a Neanderthal Revealed
Scientists from Germany’s Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology have sequenced the entire genome of a Neanderthal using a toe bone found in a cave in Siberia.
The research team used sensitive techniques, which took several years to develop, to sequence every position in the genome using DNA extracted from the toe bone of the Neanderthal and the entire genome sequence is freely available for the scientific community over the internet.
The analysis has revealed that the Neanderthal in Siberia is closely related to other Neanderthals found in Europe and western Russia.
It is hoped that the analysis will answer questions about our genetic history and how we are related to the Neanderthals. Dr Pääbo, leader of the project said: 'We will gain insights into many aspects of the history of both Neanderthals and Denisovans and refine our knowledge about the genetic changes that occurred in the genomes of modern humans after they parted ways with the ancestors of Neanderthals and Denisovans.'
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