aDNA Methodological Revolution

Abstract

Methods to recover genetic material with the best possible quality have been improving in a similar way to the other areas in this field, culminating with the obtention of the first complete ancient mitogenome in 2001. However, with the arrival of next-generation sequencing in 2005, all these advances can be considered overcome. Using shotgun sequencing as basis and specially-designed microbeads to attach DNA, the advent of the palaeogenomics era has revolutionized the field. Also the enrichment techniques and the growing knowledge of ancient DNA diagenesis add significant achievements, but then again the roof of this technology has yet to be attained.

Keywords: Amelocementary limit, Bleach, DNA extraction, Enrichment, Library preparation, Medullary canal, Microbeads, Mitogenomes, Next-generation sequencing, Pleistocene, Pre-treatment, Priming sites, Purification.