The journey of ancient DNA | Free educational graphics
This iIlustration explains where you can find ancient DNA. DNA is localized in two different compartments in the cell. Nuclear DNA harbors most of the genetic information, while the much smaller mitochondrial genome is present in thousands of copies. After death, DNA is degraded over time and ultimately only small amounts remain. It also becomes contaminated with DNA from e.g. bacteria and contemporary humans.
Geneticists can study human ancestors by isolating the nuclear DNA, or the much smaller mitochondrial genome, found in all sorts of remains — including bones, teeth or hair. Much can be gleaned by comparing the genetic variations between different genomes (noted as “mutations” here). But extraction of ancient DNA is no easy task. In some cases, DNA may be too old to study. It also becomes damaged and degraded after death. And it may become contaminated with the genetic material of microbes and modern humans.
Read more in Knowable Magazine
"Navigating the ethics of ancient human DNA research"
Q&A — Anthropologist Alyssa Bader: Paleogenomic research has expanded rapidly over the past two decades, igniting heated debate about handling remains. Who gives consent for study participants long gone — and who should speak for them today?
knowablemagazine.org/article/society/2023/navigating-ethi...
Lea en español: Navegando los dilemas éticos de la investigación del ADN humano antiguo
Take a deeper dive: Selected scholarly reviews
Ethical Guidance in Human Paleogenomics: New and Ongoing Perspectives, Annual Review of Genomics and Human Genetics
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Knowable Magazine from Annual Reviews is a digital publication that seeks to make scientific knowledge accessible to all. Through compelling articles, beautiful graphics, engaging videos and more, Knowable Magazine explores the real-world impact of research through a journalistic lens. All content is rooted in deep reporting and undergoes a thorough fact-checking before publication.
The Knowable Magazine Science Graphics Library is an initiative to create freely available, accurate and engaging graphics for teachers and students. All graphics are curated from Knowable Magazine articles and are free for classroom use.
Knowable Magazine is an editorially independent initiative produced by Annual Reviews, a nonprofit publisher dedicated to synthesizing and integrating knowledge for the progress of science and the benefit of society.
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We love to hear how teachers are using our graphics. Contact us: knowablemagazine.org/contact-us
The journey of ancient DNA | Free educational graphics
This iIlustration explains where you can find ancient DNA. DNA is localized in two different compartments in the cell. Nuclear DNA harbors most of the genetic information, while the much smaller mitochondrial genome is present in thousands of copies. After death, DNA is degraded over time and ultimately only small amounts remain. It also becomes contaminated with DNA from e.g. bacteria and contemporary humans.
Geneticists can study human ancestors by isolating the nuclear DNA, or the much smaller mitochondrial genome, found in all sorts of remains — including bones, teeth or hair. Much can be gleaned by comparing the genetic variations between different genomes (noted as “mutations” here). But extraction of ancient DNA is no easy task. In some cases, DNA may be too old to study. It also becomes damaged and degraded after death. And it may become contaminated with the genetic material of microbes and modern humans.
Read more in Knowable Magazine
"Navigating the ethics of ancient human DNA research"
Q&A — Anthropologist Alyssa Bader: Paleogenomic research has expanded rapidly over the past two decades, igniting heated debate about handling remains. Who gives consent for study participants long gone — and who should speak for them today?
knowablemagazine.org/article/society/2023/navigating-ethi...
Lea en español: Navegando los dilemas éticos de la investigación del ADN humano antiguo
Take a deeper dive: Selected scholarly reviews
Ethical Guidance in Human Paleogenomics: New and Ongoing Perspectives, Annual Review of Genomics and Human Genetics
===
Knowable Magazine from Annual Reviews is a digital publication that seeks to make scientific knowledge accessible to all. Through compelling articles, beautiful graphics, engaging videos and more, Knowable Magazine explores the real-world impact of research through a journalistic lens. All content is rooted in deep reporting and undergoes a thorough fact-checking before publication.
The Knowable Magazine Science Graphics Library is an initiative to create freely available, accurate and engaging graphics for teachers and students. All graphics are curated from Knowable Magazine articles and are free for classroom use.
Knowable Magazine is an editorially independent initiative produced by Annual Reviews, a nonprofit publisher dedicated to synthesizing and integrating knowledge for the progress of science and the benefit of society.
==
We love to hear how teachers are using our graphics. Contact us: knowablemagazine.org/contact-us