Opportunities and Challenges of using genomic ancient DNA in population genetic studies
- Date: 2 March 2022, 14:00–15:00
- Location: Evolutionary Biology Centre, Lindahlsalen
- Type: Docent trial lecture
- Lecturer: Dr. Torsten Günther
- Organiser: Department of Organismal Biology
- Contact person: Torsten Günther
The Department of Organismal Biology hereby invites all interested to Torsten Günther's docentship lecture in subject Biology with specialization in Human Evolution and Genetics.
Abstract: Sequencing DNA extracted from ancient remains has opened the possibility for studies along the temporal dimension in macroscopic systems. This technological revolution has fundamentally changed the types of scientific studies performed in evolutionary biology and human (pre-)history. I am going to show examples how these techniques made it possible to study several population transitions in Scandinavia during the last 10,000 years. Some migrations brought new technologies and are also associated with observations of cultural transitions in archaeological excavations. However, similar to other recently introduced scientific technologies, these opportunities come with some novel challenges for computational analysis partly stemming from specific properties of ancient DNA data such as contamination, fragmentation and post-mortem damage.
The lecture is an obligatory teaching test for those applying for admittance as docent and it should be possible for students and others with basic academic education in the relevant field to follow it. The lecture lasts 40-45 minutes with subsequent discussion. The lecture will be given in English.
Welcome!
Chairperson: Professor Mattias Jakobsson
Representative of the Docentship Committee: Professor Monika Schmitz