TY - JOUR
T1 - Ancient Biomolecules and Evolutionary Inference
AU - Cappellini, Enrico
AU - Prohaska, Ana
AU - Racimo, Fernando
AU - Welker, Frido
AU - Pedersen, Mikkel Winther
AU - Allentoft, Morten Erik
AU - Damgaard, Peter de Barros
AU - Gutenbrunner, Petra
AU - Dunne, Julie
AU - Hammann, Simon
AU - Roffet-Salque, Mélanie
AU - Ilardo, Melissa
AU - Moreno Mayar, José Victor
AU - Wang, Yucheng
AU - Sikora, Martin
AU - Vinner, Lasse
AU - Cox, Jürgen
AU - Evershed, Richard P
AU - Willerslev, Eske
PY - 2018/6/20
Y1 - 2018/6/20
N2 - Over the past three decades, studies of ancient biomolecules - particularly ancient DNA, proteins, and lipids - have revolutionized our understanding of evolutionary history. Though initially fraught with many challenges, today the field stands on firm foundations. Researchers now successfully retrieve nucleotide and amino acid sequences, as well as lipid signatures, from progressively older samples, originating from geographic areas and depositional environments that, until recently, were regarded as hostile to long-term preservation of biomolecules. Sampling frequencies and the spatial and temporal scope of studies have also increased markedly, and with them the size and quality of the data sets generated. This progress has been made possible by continuous technical innovations in analytical methods, enhanced criteria for the selection of ancient samples, integrated experimental methods, and advanced computational approaches. Here, we discuss the history and current state of ancient biomolecule research, its applications to evolutionary inference, and future directions for this young and exciting field.
AB - Over the past three decades, studies of ancient biomolecules - particularly ancient DNA, proteins, and lipids - have revolutionized our understanding of evolutionary history. Though initially fraught with many challenges, today the field stands on firm foundations. Researchers now successfully retrieve nucleotide and amino acid sequences, as well as lipid signatures, from progressively older samples, originating from geographic areas and depositional environments that, until recently, were regarded as hostile to long-term preservation of biomolecules. Sampling frequencies and the spatial and temporal scope of studies have also increased markedly, and with them the size and quality of the data sets generated. This progress has been made possible by continuous technical innovations in analytical methods, enhanced criteria for the selection of ancient samples, integrated experimental methods, and advanced computational approaches. Here, we discuss the history and current state of ancient biomolecule research, its applications to evolutionary inference, and future directions for this young and exciting field.
U2 - 10.1146/annurev-biochem-062917-012002
DO - 10.1146/annurev-biochem-062917-012002
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 29709200
SN - 0066-4154
VL - 87
JO - Annual Review of Biochemistry
JF - Annual Review of Biochemistry
M1 - 36
ER -