Ancient DNA and Neanderthal Genome
Evolution & Adaptation
2010
Featured
Discoverers: Svante Pääbo
Overview
First complete sequencing of the Neanderthal genome, revealing that modern non-African humans carry 1-4% Neanderthal DNA from ancient interbreeding.
Significance
Proved that Homo sapiens interbred with other hominin species, fundamentally changing our understanding of human evolution and migration.
Methodology
Ultra-clean-room extraction of degraded DNA from 38,000-year-old bones, combined with next-generation sequencing and bioinformatic decontamination.
Impact
- Proved human-Neanderthal interbreeding
- Founded the field of paleogenomics
- Awarded 2022 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine