Archaeologists were able to get DNA from an ancient pendant. They're not sure whether this was the person wearing it or the person who made it. This is again, getting more and more like a forensic scene with your archaeology. Life Science companies understand the need to answer our most fundamental questions about health.
In this episode:
00:45 Making a more diverse human genome
The first draft of the human genome ushered in a new era of genetics research. Since its publication, researchers have constructed ever more accurate ‘reference genomes’ – baselines against which others are compared. But these are based on the DNA of a small number of people, and don’t represent the genetic variation known to exist across human populations. To address this, a consortium of researchers have published the first draft of a ‘pangenome’, which combines the genomes of 47 genetically diverse individuals. This draft provides a more complete picture of the human genome, and is the starting point for a project that aims to include sequences from 350 individuals.
Research article: Liao et al.
Research article: Vollger et al.
Research article: Guarracino et al.
News and Views Forum: Human pangenome supports analysis of complex genomic regions
08:33 Research Highlights
A wearable sensor that lets users see infrared light, and how a vulture’s culture can influence its dining habits.
Research Highlight: Wearable sensor gives a glimpse of ‘invisible’ light
Research Highlight: What drives a scavenger’s diet? Vulture culture
11:06 Briefing Chat
We discuss some highlights from the Nature Briefing. This time, a new phosphate-storing organelle found in fruit fly cells, and how extracted DNA revealed who held a deer-tooth pendant 20,000 years ago.
Nature News: New cellular ‘organelle’ discovered inside fruit-fly intestines
Nature News: Prehistoric pendant’s DNA reveals the person who held it
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