Isolation of nucleic acids and cultures from fossil ice and permafrost

E. Willerslev; Anders J. Hansen; H. N. Poinar

doi:10.1016/j.tree.2003.11.010

Isolation of nucleic acids and cultures from fossil ice and permafrost

E. Willerslev, Anders J. Hansen, H. N. Poinar

178 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Owing to their constant low temperatures, glacial ice and permafrost might contain the oldest nucleic acids and microbial cells on Earth, which could prove key to reconstructing past ecosystems and for the planning of missions to other planets. However, recent claims concerning viable cells and microbial nucleic acids obtained from ice- and permafrost cores from hundreds of thousands to millions of years old are not properly authenticated and the findings could be the result of contamination. Here, we discuss the processes that restrict the long-term survival of DNA and/or RNA molecules in ice and permafrost, and highlight sources of contamination that could result in false claims. Additionally, we present a set of precautions, controls and criteria to help ensure that future cultures and sequences are authentic.
Udgivelsesdato: 2004 Mar

Original language	English
Journal	Trends in Ecology & Evolution
Volume	19
Issue number	3
Pages (from-to)	2004 Mar;19(3):141-7
ISSN	0169-5347
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2003.11.010
Publication status	Published - 2004

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10.1016/j.tree.2003.11.010

Cite this

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title = "Isolation of nucleic acids and cultures from fossil ice and permafrost",

abstract = "Owing to their constant low temperatures, glacial ice and permafrost might contain the oldest nucleic acids and microbial cells on Earth, which could prove key to reconstructing past ecosystems and for the planning of missions to other planets. However, recent claims concerning viable cells and microbial nucleic acids obtained from ice- and permafrost cores from hundreds of thousands to millions of years old are not properly authenticated and the findings could be the result of contamination. Here, we discuss the processes that restrict the long-term survival of DNA and/or RNA molecules in ice and permafrost, and highlight sources of contamination that could result in false claims. Additionally, we present a set of precautions, controls and criteria to help ensure that future cultures and sequences are authentic. Udgivelsesdato: 2004 Mar",

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T1 - Isolation of nucleic acids and cultures from fossil ice and permafrost

AU - Willerslev, E.

AU - Hansen, Anders J.

AU - Poinar, H. N.

N1 - 802SS Times Cited:42 Cited References Count:52

PY - 2004

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N2 - Owing to their constant low temperatures, glacial ice and permafrost might contain the oldest nucleic acids and microbial cells on Earth, which could prove key to reconstructing past ecosystems and for the planning of missions to other planets. However, recent claims concerning viable cells and microbial nucleic acids obtained from ice- and permafrost cores from hundreds of thousands to millions of years old are not properly authenticated and the findings could be the result of contamination. Here, we discuss the processes that restrict the long-term survival of DNA and/or RNA molecules in ice and permafrost, and highlight sources of contamination that could result in false claims. Additionally, we present a set of precautions, controls and criteria to help ensure that future cultures and sequences are authentic. Udgivelsesdato: 2004 Mar

AB - Owing to their constant low temperatures, glacial ice and permafrost might contain the oldest nucleic acids and microbial cells on Earth, which could prove key to reconstructing past ecosystems and for the planning of missions to other planets. However, recent claims concerning viable cells and microbial nucleic acids obtained from ice- and permafrost cores from hundreds of thousands to millions of years old are not properly authenticated and the findings could be the result of contamination. Here, we discuss the processes that restrict the long-term survival of DNA and/or RNA molecules in ice and permafrost, and highlight sources of contamination that could result in false claims. Additionally, we present a set of precautions, controls and criteria to help ensure that future cultures and sequences are authentic. Udgivelsesdato: 2004 Mar

U2 - 10.1016/j.tree.2003.11.010

DO - 10.1016/j.tree.2003.11.010

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 16701245

SN - 0169-5347

VL - 19

SP - 2004 Mar;19(3):141-7

JO - Trends in Ecology & Evolution

JF - Trends in Ecology & Evolution

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