title: Reconstructing ancient genomes and epigenomes.
abstract: Research involving ancient DNA (aDNA) has experienced a true technological revolution in recent years through advances in the recovery of aDNA and, particularly, through applications of high-throughput sequencing. Formerly restricted to the analysis of only limited amounts of genetic information, aDNA studies have now progressed to whole-genome sequencing for an increasing number of ancient individuals and extinct species, as well as to epigenomic characterization. Such advances have enabled the sequencing of specimens of up to 1 million years old, which, owing to their extensive DNA damage and contamination, were previously not amenable to genetic analyses. In this Review, we discuss these varied technical challenges and solutions for sequencing ancient genomes and epigenomes.
authors.affiliation: 1] Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, Copenhagen 1350C, Denmark. [2] Université de Toulouse, University Paul Sabatier (UPS), Laboratoire AMIS, CNRS UMR 5288, 37 allées Jules Guesde, 31000 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Ludovic
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Orlando
authors.affiliation: 1] Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, Copenhagen 1350C, Denmark. [2] Trace and Environmental DNA Laboratory, Department of Environment and Agriculture, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia 6102, Australia.
authors.forename: M Thomas P
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.affiliation: Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, Copenhagen 1350C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Eske
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Willerslev
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics* / Q000266:history*; D057890:Epigenomics / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D023281:Genomics / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D059014:High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D004247:DNA