Archaeogenetics in evolutionary medicine.
Archaeogenetics is the study of exploration of ancient DNA (aDNA) of more than 70 years old. It is an important part of the wider studies of many different areas of our past, including animal, plant and pathogen evolution and domestication events. Hereby, we address specifically the impact of research in archaeogenetics in the broader field of evolutionary medicine. Studies on ancient hominid genomes help to understand even modern health patterns. Human genetic microevolution, e.g. related to abilities of post-weaning milk consumption, and specifically genetic adaptation in disease susceptibility, e.g. towards malaria and other infectious diseases, are of the upmost importance in contributions of archeogenetics on the evolutionary understanding of human health and disease. With the increase in both the understanding of modern medical genetics and the ability to deep sequence ancient genetic information, the field of archaeogenetic evolutionary medicine is blossoming.
Universitat Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland. abigail.bouwman@iem.uzh.ch.
Abigail
A
Bouwman
Universitat Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland.
Frank
F
Rühli
D000818:Animals; D001106:Archaeology / Q000379:methods; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D004777:Environment; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D059647:Gene-Environment Interaction; D056726:Genetic Association Studies / Q000379:methods; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005828:Genetics, Population; D023281:Genomics / Q000379:methods; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans
D004247:DNA
Adaptive changes; Evolution of health; Immunity; Pathogen