Researcher Chart Progress in Ancient DNA Technology
Over the past 10 years, researchers led by FU Qiaomei of the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have used ancient DNA (aDNA) technology to explore the history of ancient human populations, especially those in East Asia. . As part of their effort, the researchers reconstructed the entire genomes of two extinct groups of ancient humans—Neanderthals and Denisovans; map the history of migration and global population interactions; uncover the genetic structure of the oldest East Asian people; reveal adaptive genetic changes in East Asian Ice Age populations; and traces the formation of population patterns in northern and southern China and the origins of Austronesian populations in southern China. Recently, the FU team reviewed the development history of aDNA technology, discussed current technical barriers and solutions, and assessed the future of the technology. The study was published in Cell on July 21. The main