Toward a new history and geography of human genes informed by ancient DNA.
Authors | |
Keywords | |
Abstract | Genetic information contains a record of the history of our species, and technological advances have transformed our ability to access this record. Many studies have used genome-wide data from populations today to learn about the peopling of the globe and subsequent adaptation to local conditions. Implicit in this research is the assumption that the geographic locations of people today are informative about the geographic locations of their ancestors in the distant past. However, it is now clear that long-range migration, admixture, and population replacement subsequent to the initial out-of-Africa expansion have altered the genetic structure of most of the world's human populations. In light of this we argue that it is time to critically reevaluate current models of the peopling of the globe, as well as the importance of natural selection in determining the geographic distribution of phenotypes. We specifically highlight the transformative potential of ancient DNA. By accessing the genetic make-up of populations living at archaeologically known times and places, ancient DNA makes it possible to directly track migrations and responses to natural selection. |
Year of Publication | 2014
|
Journal | Trends Genet
|
Volume | 30
|
Issue | 9
|
Pages | 377-89
|
Date Published | 2014 Sep
|
ISSN | 0168-9525
|
DOI | 10.1016/j.tig.2014.07.007
|
PubMed ID | 25168683
|
PubMed Central ID | PMC4163019
|
Links | |
Grant list | F32 GM103098 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
R01 GM100233 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
GM100233 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
Howard Hughes Medical Institute / United States
|