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SUMMARY:Sequencing archaic human genomes - Dr Matthias Meyer\, Max Planck 
 Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology\, Leipzig
DTSTART:20160511T153000Z
DTEND:20160511T163000Z
UID:TALK65322@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Aurélien Mounier
DESCRIPTION:Improvements of DNA sequencing technologies and sample prepara
 tion techniques have enabled the reconstruction of genome sequences from h
 ominin fossils at an unprecedented level of resolution. High quality genom
 e sequences are now available not only from early modern humans but also t
 heir extinct archaic relatives. These include the genomes of Neanderthals 
 and Denisovans living in the Late Pleistocene\, the latter of whom were id
 entified as an Eastern Eurasian sister group to Neanderthals based predomi
 nantly on the analysis of their DNA rather than fossil evidence. Recently\
 , mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences were also recovered from the ~40
 0\,000 year-old hominin fossils of Sima de los Huesos\, Spain\, extending 
 the temporal depth of ancient DNA analysis from the Late to the Middle Ple
 istocene. This presentation will discuss the technical and analytical chal
 lenges associated with the analysis of highly degraded genetic material as
  well some of the major insights this work has provided into human evoluti
 onary history.
LOCATION:Seminar Room\, Henry Wellcome Building\, Division of Biological A
 nthropology\, Fitzwilliam Street\, Cambridge\, CB2 3QG
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