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Is dinosaur DNA really a thing? The amazing secrets of ancient genes have been revealed!
With the progress of ancient DNA (aDNA) research, scientists have gradually uncovered incredible mysteries of history and nature. From frozen mammoth teeth to buried amber, these ancient genetic archives give us a glimpse into the lives and environments of past creatures, especially the evolution of dinosaurs.
Ancient DNA is DNA extracted from ancient sources (usually specimens, but also environmental DNA). The breakdown process of this DNA, including cross-linking, deamination and fragmentation, makes it more damaged than contemporary genetic material. Even under the best preservation conditions, the amount of DNA in a sample available for sequencing technology is typically limited to between 400,000 and 1.5 million years. In 2022, researchers extracted two-million-year-old genetic material from sediments in Greenland, which is considered to be the oldest DNA discovered so far.
The history of ancient DNA research
The beginning of the 1980s
In 1984, a research team from the University of California, Berkeley, successfully extracted DNA from specimens in the Quagga Museum for the first time, ushering in the study of ancient DNA. Next, Swedish scientist Svante Pääbo found DNA extracted from various human samples dating back thousands of years. The study of ancient DNA has rapidly advanced with the development of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), further promoting the development of this field.
The craze of the 1990s
In the 1990s, research groups successively claimed to have successfully extracted DNA from millions of years ago, including insect and plant DNA extracted from amber. However, DNA extracted from dinosaur bones reported in 1994 raised questions. Even as the scientific community began to doubt the veracity of these results, much interest in ancient DNA grew.
Innovation in the 2000s
After 2000, the field of ancient DNA research ushered in a revolution. The emergence of cheaper, high-throughput next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology allows researchers to reconstruct the genomes of ancient or extinct organisms, which has brought a new perspective to the study of ancient DNA.
Discoveries of the 2020s
In 2022, Svante Paabo won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his research on the genome of extinct humans, adding an important milestone to the study of ancient DNA. In the same year, scientists discovered two million-year-old genetic material in the sediments of Greenland, once again breaking the record for ancient DNA excavations.
Challenges and Mistakes
The degradation process of ancient DNA samples and environmental pollution issues make the study of ancient DNA full of challenges.
Despite the gradual improvement of ancient DNA technology, the degradation process remains a major problem in the field. Past research results have sometimes been questioned due to sample contamination, making real-world data analysis difficult.
Authentication of ancient DNA
As research progresses, the importance of authenticating extracted DNA becomes increasingly important. Based on the signature of deaminated DNA, scientists can now infer whether a sample is from ancient times, rather than just recent contamination. This makes the study of ancient DNA more reliable.
Analysis of ancient non-human DNA
Research on non-human ancient DNA has achieved a series of important results, such as extracting animal and plant DNA from thousands or even hundreds of thousands of years ago and conducting genome analysis. These discoveries are not only of historical significance, but also help We understand the ecological environment of organisms in the past.
Exploration of ancient human DNA
Research on ancient DNA related to humans - from mummies to skeletons, these samples are collected and analyzed extensively. This not only provides key clues to the origin and evolution of humans, but also triggers discussions on pollution issues and their impacts.
New revelations and possibilities for future research
Current research not only helps us better understand the genomes of past organisms, it also makes us think about our identity and past as humans. Research on ancient DNA continues to unfold, revealing many secrets of distant history. These ancient genes may become the key to the future behavioral patterns of humans and other species. So, what kind of enlightenment will ancient genes bring us?
